


^' AN^ 



v\^ 



^^ 



'■ —^ • ' 



V<i 



x^-^ -^^ 



<-\^" 

-s*^ -V 



A 



(^^ 



' r. 



.9^^ 



% 



o. 



<f 






\ 






.0- 



o^ 



^» ^ .0 



.-J^' 



^ ^ 



''^-' .<^' : 



.0' 












0^. 



<?,. 






.^^ ^\/ 



X^ '/ 
» ^:^^ 



* .'. , • ^ .0 



« I A 






"'^^ ^^ 



.^^:- 






s ■ ■ / 



v\ 



v^-. 



■^^ 















,^ .0- 






\ - 1 " 






Z 






v' 












'^;< 









V 




'.-^.^ 



A. >. 






\' 



^ 



\N 



>V 



-» ^^ 



« ^ 



y- qX 



_ s 



r- ^ 



I"\ 






'V"' *^y! 






s " ' / 




% * v ^ . ^^ 



"-^.^^^ 



.>^%, ^ 






'^' ^^ .-^^ ON C , -.^ 












I ft 









<=<. 












«:s o ■* , 

, V "* ,0 



N t 



0- c"""*, c 







4 O- 



' sf^''"^/\ x^'^:^^"^"^ '^\Vi''\ ./' 






^ 















o 















X 






^: 






.H ■"-<• 



\^ 



^ '^ 



^^ .'^ 






\> ^ V * ^ 



</*. 



<P 










'^ ^ , ,v -** .^0 







■i 'p 



^ 












.1 o 



vO 



\L> 



^.M-'---^o" ^0 






.,N -^ 



.,>^' 




CopyriKiu, IwT. hv John Donouhuc 

"THE BOXER." 



I _ L - l-W . 



Ethics of Boxing 



AND 



MANLY SPORT 




P.Y 

JOHN BOYLE O'REILLY 



" It is exercise alone that supports the spirits and keeps the mind in 
vigor." — Cicero. 

"A man inust often exercise or fast or take physic, or be sick." — 
Sir IV. Temple. 

"Anything is better than the white-blooded deterioration to which we 
all tend."— O. IV. Holmes. 

" There is no better preventive of nervous exhaustion than regular, 
unhurried, muscular exercise. If we could moderate our hurry, lessen our 
worry, and increase our open - air exercise, a large portion of nervous dis- 
eases would be abolished." — James Muir Howie. 



1^ 
^^■^-^/'O^ Illustrated 



/V 




.APR 21 1888 




BOSTON 

TICKNOR AND COMPANY 

211, i^rcmont .;^treet 

1 888 



r- 



Copyrighted 
Bv .T()}IN BOYLE O'REILLY 

1888. 



■LBCTROTYPED ANK IRINTKH BY 

CASHMAN, KEATING & COMPANY, 
BosTOH, Mass. 



DEDICATED 

TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT A LOVE FOR 

INNOCENT SPORT, PLAYFUL EXERCISE, 

AND- ENJOYMENT OF NATURE, 

IS A BLESSING INTENDED NOT ONLY FOR 

THE YEARS OF BOYHOOD, BUT FOR 

THE WHOLE LIFE OF A MAN. 



CONTENTS, 



ETHICS AND EVOLUTION OF BOXING. 

Page 

I. Has Boxing a Real Value ? . . . .1 

II. Improvement in Modern Boxing ... 5 

III. Antiquity of Boxing . . . . .11 

IV. The Athletes of Ancient Greece ... 18 
V. The Training of Greek Athletes . . .21 

VI. The Sacred Games of Greece • . . 23 

VII. The Skill of Greek Boxers . . . .26 

VIII. The Gladiators of Rome .... 31 

IX. Feudalism Suppressed Popular Athletic Exercises . 37 

X. The First Modern Champion Boxer . . 43 

XI. The First Modern Rules of the Ring . . .48 

XII. Donnelly and Cooper on the Curragh of Kildare . 52 

XIII. A Lesson even in a Fight . . . .65 

XIV. Characteristics of Great Boxers . • .75 
XV. Boxing Compared with other Exercises . . 82 

Appendix. 

The Illustrations ...... 88 

Rules of the Ring 89 

London Prize-Ring Rules, as Revised by the British 

Pugilistic Association ... T 90 

Marquis of Queensberry Rules Governing Contests for 

Endurance • . • . . .95 

American Fair-Play Rules to Govern Glove Con- 
tests . . . . . . .96 

(V) 



Vi CONTENTS. 



THE TllAIXlNCi OF ATHLETES TESTED BY 

EVEKY-DAY LIFE. 

Page 

I. Is Training Injurious ? . • . .101 

II. The Evils of Improper Training . 100 

III. Muscular I*o\ver Secondary to Respiratory Power, 111 

IV. The Food of Athletes in Training 11-4 
V. A Day's Food and Exercise in Training . . 125 

VI. Various Exercises and How to Practise Them . 131 

VIL The Curse of the (Uosed Windows .137 

VIII. Exercise for City Dwellers and School Children, 143 

IX. Corpulence, Diet, and Sleep . .152 

X. Hints for Training and Good Health . . 161 



AXCIENT IRISH ATHLETIC GAMES, EXERCISES, 

- AXD WEAPOXS. 

1. The Museum of the Royal Irish Academy . . 169 
II. The Most Ancient Weapon Used in Ireland . 174 

III. The Weapon- Feats of Cuchullin . . .185 

IV. Military Athletes of Ancient Ireland . . 189 
V. Hurling: The <'hief Game of Ancient Ireland 195 

VI. The Ancient Games at Tailten and Carman 202 

VII. An Heroic Combat in Ancient Ireland . . 215 

VIII. A Glance Backward and Forward . . 236 



CANOEING SKETCHES. 

Caxoeino ox the Connecticut .... 243 

Down the Suh^iehanna in a Canoe . . 261 

Down the Delawake River in a Canoe . . 303 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS, 



FULL PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS. 
" The Boxer " .... Frontispiece 

Engraved, by permission, from the statue by John Donoghue. 

Page 
A Taddle by Moonlight 244 

At the Mouth of the River 256 

Ox THE Delawake River 290 

MOSELEY ON A RoUGH DESCENT 308 

At THE Foot of Great Fout. Rift .... 332 



ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT. 
ETHICS AND EVOLUTION OF BOXING. 

The Usual and Wrong Way to Strike a Round Blow . 8 

Round Blow ....... 9 

Ducking the Round Blow . . . . . .10 

Greek Boxers With Cestus ..... 13 

Raw-Hide Cestus from Herculaneum . . . .15 

The Round Cestus ...... 16 

(vii) 



o 



55 



Vlll LIST OF ILLLSTKATIONS. 

rage 
A Straight f'ross-Countor . . . . .28 

"Wastes His Forcos oil 111." AViixl " .... 30 

ASet-To ........ 45 

A Uoiintl Blow Misst'il ...... 5 

Coming 

- o • • • • 

Cross- But tork ...... 57 

Cross-Coiint(MV(l . . . . , .61 

Uppcr-Cut, as Sullivan Strikes It . . .62 

I'pper-Cut, Ulil-Fashioneil . . . .60 

Clinch ■•..... 66 

Good Position of Guard . . . .67 

Straight Counter • . . • 7-3 

Cross-Counter . . . . . , , g^ 

Ducking a Lead wit li til.' Left .... 83 



ANCIENT IHlSil WEAPONS. 
No. 

!. Kirl>olg Craisech ..... 176 

2. 'i'uatlia di' Dananii .swonl .... J76 

3. Ancient IJronze Sword ..... 177 

4. Lia Landia Laieh, or Champion's Hand-Stone . 178 
T), Tuatha d«' Danann Sword • .179 

6. " '•".... 179 

7. " 179 

8. Firbolg Battle- A.xe, or Celt .... 180 
«. '' " "•"... 180 

fo- •• " '■'.... 181 



II a n 

|>> u (( (1 



181 
181 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. IX 

Xo. Page 

13. Tuatlia de Dananii Battle- Axe, or Celt • . 182 

14. " " " " . . 182 

15. " " " " . . 182 

16. Firbolg Bat tie- Axe 183 

17. Ancient Irish Seal ..... 184 

18. Manais, Tuatlia de Danann Spears . . • 186 

19. " " u u ... 186 

20. " " " " . . • 187 

21. " " " " . . . J87 

22. " " " " . . . 187 

23. Bronze Mace ...... 191 

24. Stuic, or Irish AVar Horn .... 196 

25. Lic-Tailrae, or Sling-Stone .... 196 

26. Military Forks 198 

27. " " 199 

28 Ancient Chessman ..... 201 
•29. Craisech, with Firbolg Fastening and Tuatlia de 

Danann Point ...... 209 

30. " " " " " " " 209 

31. Firbolg Fiarlanna, or Curved Pointless Blade . 209 

32. Broad Green Spear . . . . • 216 

33. Firbolg Dagger, Called Colg . • . .216 

34. Manais, or Broad Thrusting Spear . . , 216 

35. Slegli, Sharp-pointed Tuatlia de Danann Spear . 226 

36. " " " " " . 226 

. 227 

227 

. 227 

230 

. 231 



37. 


u 


u 


i( 


38. 


li 


u 


n 


39. 


li 


(( 


it 


40. 


Ancient Bronze Shield 




41. 


u 


li a 





<( u 



CORRECTIONS. 



Vi\<;(' 25, fourth liur — read "were" instead of "was." 
Pa<,'e 71, fiftli line — ivad "defeated" instead of "captured.' 
Page lit; — ivad • linakfasl at S a. m.."' instead of "8 i-. .m." 
Page KM), eightii line — ondt the words "all-round." 



INTRODUCTION. 



This book is not intended as a mere manual for the 
special nse of skilled professional or amateur athletes, 
though necessarily many of its details refer particu- 
larly to these classes. Its main purpose is to bring 
into consideration the high value, moral and intel- 
lectual as well as j)hysical, of those exercises that 
develop healthy constitutions, cheerful minds, manly 
self-confidence, and ajipreciation of the beauties of 
nature and natural enjoyment. Nevertheless, these 
lines of Bunyan tell my i:)reliminary experience : — 

" Some said, John, print it ; others said, Xot so ; 
Some said, It miglit do good ; others said, No." 

So long as large numbers of our young people, of 
both sexes, are narrow-chested, thin-limbed, their mus- 
cles growing soft as their fat grows hard, timid in 
the face of danger, and ignorant of the great and 
varied exercises that are as needful to the stron<r 
body as letters to the informed mind, such books as 
this need no excuse for their pidjlication. 



Many will say : " the time for this sort of thing is 

(xi) 



XII INTKODUCTION. 

past ; the world has grown too intelligent for these idle 
games and exercises; we, who know what life is, know 

• 

tJiat athletic s]>orts are only symptoms of questionable 
tastes." 

The j)ride of knowledge is had, but the pride of 
ignor;^nce is worse; together, tliey are almost hope- 
less. The truth is, there is more need to-day for 
j)hysical develo])mcnt, for play, for sport, for athletic 
exercises and amusements of all kinds, than there was 
during ilie Greek Olympiads, or at any other period of 
human history. Strange, that this obvious truth 
should call for public statement. " On old and voun<r," 
says a great Tundi-m philosoi)l)er, ^' the i)ressure of 
modern life puts a still increasing strain. In all busi- 
nesses and jtrofessions, intense competition taxes the 
energies and abilities of every adult; and, with a view 
of better fitting the young to hold their place under 
this intenser competition, they are subject to a more 
severe dis(i])lii)(.' than ever before." 

*'We have not holidays enough," says an eminent 
American ]>liysician. " P'ive days a year i> our allow- 
ance, a scanty one indeed, that seems ridiculous to 
our quiet rr neiirhbors across the water, who, needin<'- 
rest less than we, get four times as much. But there 
is no time for relaxation ; we must only do our best to 
brace up and stand the drive." 



INTRODUCTION. XIU 

What parent, who has observed the endless studies 
of his chihlren, at school during the day, and at home 
in the evening, with little time and opportunity for 
vigorous play, and has not inwardly feared that it was 
too much for the boy or girl? His fears are real 
warnings : they ai-e true. The studies are too much, 
unless offset by a proportionate amount of play and 
vigorous exercise. They prevent the children from 
developing; and they also prevent them from learning. 

It is a physiological law, pointed out by Lewes in 
his " Dwarfs and Giants," that there is an antagonism 
between growth and develojnnent —h\ growth mean- 
ing increase of size, by development increase of struc- 
ture . 

The question is not only a cpiestion of bulk, but also 
a question of quality. A soft, flabby flesh makes as 
o-ood a show as a firm one ; but though to the careless 
eye, a youth of full flaccid tissue may appear the equal 
of one whose fibres are w^ell-toned, a trial of strength 
will prove the difference. Obesity in adults is often 
a sificn of feebleness. 

There is a corresponding radical difference l)etween 
true education and the memorizing of facts. The 
meanin<>- of the word tells its own story — e-duca~ 
tioii — the drawing-out of what is in the child, not the 



XIV IXTllODUCTIOX. 

craimiiiiig uiuligested facts into the liel])less young 
memory. The cruelty of it! Were food forced 
into the body as facts are into the mind, so as to pro- 
duce violent dyspepsia, j)arents would be compelled to 
stoj.. JJiit they will not see the consequent mental 
dysj.ej.sia an<l its vile train of intellectual, moral, and 
])liysical abnormalties. Ini])roj)er education stores up 
useless knowledge as unhealthy living stores uj) stolid 
fat, instead of turning it into vigorous muscle. 

'' J>y accelerating the circulation of the blood," says 
a scientific authority, -' it facilitates the performance 
of every function; and so tends alike to increase 
health when it exists and to restore it when it has been 
lost/' For this changeless reason, the same to-day as a 
thousand years ago or a thousand years hence, 7>/<'^y is 
a necessity of human nature; and for this reason also 
I>lay is su])erior to any regulated form of uninterestin^r 
gymnastic exercise. Play is the gymnastics of nature ; 
and that artificial exercise is best which comes nearest 
to it in interest and amusement. "An a^rreeable 
mental excitement has a highly invigoratuig influence." 



Play also makes an equable distribution of action to 
all parts of the body; the action of i^vnijiastics, fallin<r 
on sjiecial parts, ju-oduces fatigue, and if constantly 
repeated, lea^ls to disproportionate development. 



INTRODUCTION. XV 

"Conskler the fact," says Herbert Sj^encer, "from 
nr.y but the conventional point of view, and it will 
Keem strano-e that while the raisino: of first-rate bul- 
locks is an occupation on which men of education 
willingly bestow much time, inquiry, and thought, the 
bringing up of fine human beings is an occujxation 
tacitly voted unworthy of their attention. Mammas 
who have been taught little but languages, music, and 
accomplishments, aided by nurses full of antiquated 
prejudices, are held competent regulators of the food, 
clothing, and exercise of children. Meanwhile the 
fathers read books and periodicals, attend agricultural 
meetings, try exjieriments, and engage in discussions, 
all with the view of discovering how to fatten prize 
pigs ! Infinite pains will be taken to produce a racer 
that sha^l win the Derby : none to produce a modern 
athlete. Had Gulliver narrated of the Laputans that 
men vied with each other in learning how best to rear 
the offspring of other creatures, and were careless of 
learning how best to rear their own offspring, he 
would have paralleled any of the other absurdities he 
ascribes to them." 



There is character as well as strength in muscle ; and 
little of either in flabbiness or lard. Take the colloped 
fat from the under-chin and jowl of a young man, and 



XVI IXTnODUCTIOX. 

put it on his arms, trunk, and legs in the shape of firn. 
muscle, and, other things heing e(iual, you improve lii.v 
moral as well as his bodilv health. 

All who are trained in athletics know the value <.i' 
the "second wind." Powerful athletes are in danger 
till this is reached ; but he who has obtained his "second 
wind" in a contest can go- on as long as his muscular 
j^ower lasts. It is worth remembering that there is a 
moral as well as a ]>hysical "second wnnd;" and that 
many who go down at the first trial* would have 
held on to a virtuous and hapj)y end had the fail- 
ing character been sustamed at the period of early 
weakness. 

Fatness and softness are merely sensuous expres- 
sions, or symptoms of disease. They are non-conduct- 
ors of si»iritual messages, stop])nig or deadening the 
finer currents of enjoyment, as an insulator stops 
electricitv. 

The motive-centre of a thinker is the brain ; of a 
]»hilanthropist, the heart ; of a sensualist the belly. 
In the latter class, a kindly or beautiful or devo- 
tional aspiration enters the mind and wanders aim- 
lessly through the flabby muscles, straying off the 
nerve at will, for the tissues have not sufficient con- 
sistency to hold it on the line, until it sinks gradually 
but surely toward the marshy and forbidden wastes of 



IXTRODUCTION. XVll 

appetite, and is drowned, like a belated traveller, in 
the weedy morasses of the gastric-centre. 



To place manly sport in its proper relation to the 
people, we must save athletics from the professional 
athletes, and from the evil association of betting and 
o-amblino- that stunts, encumbers and diso-races almost 
all kinds of open-air exercise. 

The very fact that professionals and gamblers fasten 
on a sport, is the highest proof of its value to the 
people : your worm never selects an inferior apple. 
The popular desire is the very stock in trade of the 
professional gambler. There is only one way in which 
this reform can be thoroughly made, namely, by the 
recognition of athletic training as a necessary and 
admirable part of general education. This will re- 
move at once the flavor of disrepute which at present 
attends a taste for manly sport. 

All healthy young people are fond of physical 
exercise ; and proper instruction is as necessary here 
as in the intellectual departments of school and col- 
lege, and will as surely result in benefit to the individ- 
ual and the state. 



I desire to express my thanks to several persons 
who have assisted me in the i^reparation of this book, 



XVlll INTRODUCTION. 

es|)0cially to Dr. Francis A. Harris, of Boston, for his 
invaluable paper on the physiology of athletic train- 
ing; to tlie JjostO)i Herald, for its enterprising publica- 
tion of the article on boxing, the plates of which The 
llendd generously presented to me; to my friend, 
J(»hn Donoghue, the sculptor, for jjcrmission to en- 
grave his great statute of " The Boxer ; " and to the 
Editor of OuHiKj, for the use of several illustrations 
from that interesting: mao-azine. 

John Boyle O'BEirxY. 



ETHICS AND EVOLUTION OF BOXING. 



I. 

HAS BOXING A REAL VALUE? 

"Both amoDo- the Greeks and Romans," says 
an eminent authority, "the practice of pugilism 
was considered essential to the education of their 
youth, from its manifest utility in streno'theninof 
the body, dissipating all fear, and infusing a 
manly courage into the system." 

The Greeks and Romans kept boxing in its 
proper relation to ever3'-day life ; not as a brutal 
exhibition of skill or strength, but as a healthy 
exercise to invigorate the body, expand the chest, 
strengthen and quicken the muscles, and render 
mind and bod}' free, supple, strong, and con- 
fident. 

" There is nothino- that interests me like crood 
boxinof," said Sir Robert Peel. "It asks more 
steadiness, self-control, ay, and manly couraire, 
than any other exercise. You nuist take as ^yell 
as giye, — eye to eye, toe to toe, and arm to arm." 

(1) 



2 F/rmrs or r.<>\i\(; and manly spokt. 

Mr. I'.\ civil Dt'iiison, once speaker of the House 
of Coiiuiions, describing an interview with Lord 
Ahhorp, the minister who led the British Coni- 
nions when the Iveforni Bill was passed, says : 
**Lord Althorp l)ecame eloquent; he said that 
his conviction of the advantaires of puirilisni was 
so stronir that he had seriously been considerinii* 
whether it w\as not a dut}' that he owed to the 
public to go and attend every prize tight which 
took place, and thus to encourage the nol^le 
science to the extent of his i)ower." 

""AVe are the Eomans of the modern Avorld," 
says the illustrious ''Autocrat of the Breakfast 
Table," speaking of Americans — ••the great as- 
similating peo[)lc. Conllicts and concpiests are, of 
course, necessary accidents with us, as with our 
])r()totypes. And so we come to their style of 
weaixin. . . . The rac(^ that shortens its 
weapons lengthens its boundaries. Corollary : It 
was the Polish hina^ that left Poland at last with 
nothinir of her own to bound. 

" ' Dropped from Ikm- iktvcIcss gras]) the slmffrrf <l sjH'itr! " 

"What business," continues Dr. Ilornes, "had 
Sarmatiti to be tighting for liberty with a iifteen- 
foot pole l)el\veen her and the breasts or her 
enemies? If she had but come to close quarters, 
there miirht have been a chance for her. " 



HAS BOXING A REAL VALUE? 6 

To these famous and wise men mi'oht be added 
a lonor list of others, eoiiallv distmofuished, who 
appreciated the personal and national vahie of 
u'enerations trained to manlv exercises, their 
bodies developed, and theii* minds cahnlT confi- 
dent in the ready power of self-defence. 

Take an eminent man of a contrary opinion, 
and see how few will be readv to a2:ree with him : 
how manv will feel shocked at his word, as the 
expression of a false and injurious doctrine. 
Sydney Smith, who liked almost everything that 
was good, by some queer mental perversion, 
despised and detested manly exercises. •• There 
is a manliness in the athletic exercises of public 
schools," he says, "which is as seductive to the 
imagination as it is utterly unimportant in itself. 
Of what importance is it in after life whether a 
bov can play well or ill at cricket, or row a boat 
with the skill and precision of a waterman ? If 
our young lords and esquires were hereafter to 
wrestle together in public, or the gentlemen of 
the bar to exhibit 01vmi:)ic frames in Hilarv term, 
the glory attached to these exercises at public 
schools would be rational and important. But of 
what use is the bodv of an athlete, when we have 
gooa laws over our heads, or when a pistol, a post- 
chtiise, or a porter, can be hired for a few shillings? 
A irentleman does nothinir but ride or walk, and 



4 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

yet such a ridiculous stress is Itiid upon the iimnli- 
ness of the exercises customary at j)ul)lic schools." 

How nian\ will s.*i\' that this is sound doctrine 
lor a man or a conununity? It is of little impor- 
tance, perhaps, whether or not a grown man can 
play cricket or row a l)oat ; but it is of very great 
importance, no matter how cheap pistols or post- 
chaises may be, that, in case he were called on, 
f»)r j)ersonal or i)atriotic duty, to swim or climb 
for a life, to light for a child or a woman, to de- 
fend his country in the field, he should be ready 
with a strontr bodv, a stout heart, and a trained 
hand and mind to raise him over difficulty and 
danger. 

In speaking of l)oxing, it is not necessary to 
apologize for prize-fighting or prize-fighters. It is 
enoui^h to studv the arowth and worth of })oxinir 
as a healthy and manly exercise. But even for 
the ])rlze-rin<r, nuich miuht be said to show that 
to it alone is due whatever is known of order and 
fair ))lay in a personal encounter. 

'' The rules of the ring" are the condensed 0[)in- 
ions of fair-minded men as to what is to be and is 
not to be allowed in a j)ers()nal fight, whether public 
or priyate (except the London Ring Kules, for 
Avhich see pages 7 and H9). Every unfair method 
is condemned ; and, no mattcM* how rough the 
crowd at a j)ersonal confiict, a foul l)low, or a 



IMPKOVEMENT IN MODEKN BOXING. D 

cruel advantaofe, is sure to be shouted down as 
cowardly and disgraceful. 



II. 

IMPROVEMENT IN MODEKN BOXING. 

The chief reason why boxing has fallen into 
disrepute is the English practice of prize-iighting 
with bare hands, and under improper rules. 

The American champion, Sullivan, has done 
more than attempt to defeat all pugilists who 
came before him : he has made a manly and most 
creditable effort to establish the practice not only 
of sparring, but of fighting, with large gloves ; 
and secondly, he has made the round blow 
*' scientific." He also has insisted, whenever he 
could, that contests should be ruled by three- 
minute rounds of fair boxing. 

The adoption of gloves for all contests will do 
more to preserve the practice of boxing than any 
other conceivable means. It will give pugilism 
new life, not only as a professional boxer's art, 
but as a ireneral exercise. The brutalities 
of a fight Avith bare hands, the crushed nasal 
bones, maimed lips, and other disfigurements, 
which call for the utter a])olition of box in o- in the 



<) ETHICS OF BOXING AND :MANLy SPOKT. 

iiitiTcsts ot" luiniauity, at once disappear when the 
contestniits cover their hands with larirc, soft- 
leather izloves. 

There is no h):?> in ihe (]uality of the contest 
either, a^ (hose who have .seen ])oth kinds of 
])()xinir will testifv. All that is worth notinu' and 
testing of courage, temper, strength, tenacity, 
endurance, force, rapidity, precision, foresight, 
can l)e as coni})letely proven, or rather can be 
better or more jjlainly proven, in a glove contest 
than in a ])are-handed tiirht. 

Such a change as is liere contemplated was 
never dreamt of even ten years acfo. British 

*■' " 

boxing was a lamenta])le exhi))ition at all times; 
but for twenty-five years past it has been sinking 
lower and lower in disrepute. The greatest and 
manliest physical exercise has l)een, for this 
reason, in danger of complete extinction. 

"Surely a precious tliiiiii; one worthy note, 
.Should thus be lost forever from the earth." 

It is hoi)ed that the recent l)are-handed tiixht 
between .Sullivan and Mitchell in France will be 
the last of its brutal kind.* 

This fight contain^ in itself a complete illustra- 

*The men fought near Chantilly, France, on March JO, 1888, 
for £500 and the championship of the world. The rules were 
those of the Lon<lon Prize King. The fight lasted three hours 
and eleven minutes, in which time oU regular rounds, and 



IMPROVEMENT IN MODERN BOXING. 7 

tion of the very worst features of English prize- 
fio^htin«:. The London Rins: Rules, under which 
this contest was conducted, enabled the inferior 
man to escape, and might easily have made him 
the victor. These rules (see page 89, Appendix) 
were apparently meant to prevent, not to insure, 
fair and manly boxing. Had Mitchell been com- 
pelled to stand up and fight for three-minute 
rounds, and had he been prevented from fall- 
ing to escape danger, there would have been a fair 
test of both men's al)ility. Again, had Sullivan 
kept to his natural style of fighting, with a master- 
ful spirit compelling his opponent, instead of 
adopting a slow and watchful method, it would have 
been far better for him. In fact, everything was 
aoainst Sullivan, and infavor of the o^amblerswho 
evidently ruled the contest. He Avas overtrained 
(see pages 108-0 for effect of over-training). He 
had lost forty pounds in about six weeks, most 
seriously affecting the weight of his blows ; and 

four or five irregular, were fought. After five or six rounds, 
during wliicli he was knocked down literally every time he 
stood up, Mitchell adopted a system of running away and fall- 
ing to escape blows. A cold rain was falling, and Sulli- 
van became chilled, and in the thirty-fifth round he had 
a fit of ague. He was overtrained; he had hurt his 
right hand; he was too heavy to plougli through the nmd 
after his running adversary, whom he could not catch; so lie 
agreed to end the contest by a draw. 



8 



ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY Sl'OUT. 




Ill tliis rtHluction not only had he sacrificed ner- 
vous force to muscular power, ])ut he had lost the 
necessary fat to keei>*liini from irettinir cliillcd in 

tlie slow fiiilit ensured ])y the Lon- 
don Rules. 

In America, Sullivan's example 
has done nuich to brinir glove con- 
tests into professional })ractice ; 
and when the man's faults are re- 
hearsed, it is only fair that this 
should be remembered. In other 
respects it is beyond doubt that he 
is one of the most remarkable box- 
wuoNG, WAV TO crs ju tlic wholc history of the 

STKIKE A ROUND . '^ 

„,.,,w. exercise. (See page 75 for analy- 

sis of his method of fighting, which of course is 
a study of the man when at his best.) 

Sullivan's second achievement is, undoul)tedly, 
the crystallization of the round blow. This is 
one of the greatest additions ever made to the 
pugilism of the ring. The round blow, safely 
delivered, is the most powerful and effective of 
all blows. 

Sullivan did Jiot invent the round blow. It 
is as old as boxing : indeed it is one of the natural 
movements of human attack. It was the leadini^ 
blow of the Greeks with the brutal cestus, or armed 
glove. It is the very blow that a stronir, awk- 



IMPROVEMENT IN MODERN BOXING. 9 

ward, iiruoraut man would strike, and thereby 
disable himself — for the round blow, wrongly 
delivered, is far more terrible to the giver than to 
the receiver. 

Formerly, boxers delivered the round blow 
almost with a straight-arm swing, some with the 
rVont knuckles leading, and some with the back, 
and soma airain with the thuml) knuckle, or with 
the palm or "heel of the hst." But most of 




KOU>"D BLOW. 

(Instantaneous Photograph.) 

these came ofi' with sprained joints or broken 
wrists, while their opponents easily escaped the 
slow swing by '-ducking," or threw up the elbow 
at an acute ansrle and smashed the delicate bone 
of the strikers forearm. 

The secret of striking the round blow safely 
lies in the position of the knuckles. Just as in 



10 ETHICS OF BOXING Aj^^D MANLY SPORT. 

true cutting with a sword, the elbow and knuckles 
arc the test. Ask an unskilled man to make the 
"cut one" with a sabre (from rii^ht to left, hori- 
zontally), and he will, assuredly, cut vith the 
hack of the sword for two-thirds of the distance. 
Simi)ly because he keeps his elbow and his 
knuckles turned up instead of down. And so 
with all sword-cuts. So, too, with the round 
blow iu boxing. An unskilled l)oxer will swiuo: 




DUCKINd THE KUIND BLOW. 

(Instantaneous Photograph.) 

the hand obliquely upward, with the palm down- 
ward or toward his body. Instead, the ell>ow 
must be sliirhtlv raised, the back of the hand 
turned toward the bod v. This brinirs the stiik- 
ing joints of the hand s(juare in the lead. 

A good boxer, in striking the round blow, instead 
of looseninir body and arm, ii^athers himself into a 



ANTIQUITY OF BOXIXG. 11 

heap of muscularity and begins his blow where 
all blows ought to begin, from the solidarity of 
the ri<2:ht foot. He bends the ri^ht arm into an 
obtuse auii'le, the elbow slio'htly raised from the 
side, and throws the entire weight of body and 
momentum of released biceps into the blow. 

Therefore, it may be said, that the last few 
years have witnessed a greater permanent advance 
in boxing than any period since the time of John 
Broughton, who was the British champion from 
1734 to 1750, and who has been, though not very 
truly, called '' the founder of the modern art of 
self-defence." 



III. 

ANTIQUITY OF BOXIXG. 

British and Irish athletes have done much for 
l)oxing ; l)ut an examination of the whole field 
would lead to the conclusion that " the modern 
art of self-defence" is not so modern as some 
people think. 

Boxin«: is the only art of attaclv and defence 
which we have as an unbroken inheritance from 
the ancients. 

Every weapon used by men has been changed 
in use and shape within one thousand, much less 



12 ETHICS OF BOXING AM) MAXLY SPOKT. 

two lliousand years. The i)iko, the ])ow, the 
mace, the axe, are al)aiKl()ne(l. The only ancient 
weaj)()n that has not l)een thrown a.side is the 
sword : antl that has ])een doiihled in lenirth, and 
used in (juite other ways th;in the Greek and 
Roman use. 

Tiiere is a ch)se rehitionshi}) between the history 
of the sword and tliat of hoxin<>-. 

lioth (ireek and Konian used the short sword 
(average of al)out twenty inches) undou])tedly as 
a stabhinir weapon — as distinct from a cuttin<>- 
weapon. The only weapon o])viously used for 
cutting anionir the ancients was the curved sword 
of the Lacedccmonians and the Irisli, specimens 
of which can be seen in the lloyal Irish Academy 
-Museum, and which ahiiost exactly resem])led the 
present scimetar of the Persians. 

All the gladiatorial sword tights of the Konians 
were with the short, straight sword, like a 
Scottish claymore ; and when the hapless loser 
threw up his hands and the peoi)le shouted ''Hoc 
Htihet!' ("lie has got it!") they knew that the 
victor had driven his straight weapon between his 
0])jKnient's ribs. 

But with the northern con(|uest of Kome the 
u.>e of the straight sword, or rather the use of the 
])oint as the principal means of attack, practically 
disappeared for over a thousand years, and w^hen 



ANTIQUITY OF BOXING. 



13 



it came again, it was in the long, light rapier play 
of the Italian and French schools of fence. 

Bat all this time the boxing skill of Greek and 
Koman must have come traditionally and practi- 
cally down from father to son, the only change 
being in the dropping of the hand-weights and 
bandao'es. 




GUEEK BOXERS WITH THE rESTri--. 



When Pollux ol)tained the boxing victory at the 
Pvthian aames, he wore sfloves or leathern ban- 
da2:es tilled with lead and iron. AVhen Sullivan 
defeats his man, he uses soft gloves filled with 
curled hair. This is the change of time and 
judgment. The latter is the l^etter test. A 
chance ])low from the heavy ce^stus cracked a 



14 KTlIirS OF nOXlNG AND MANLY SPORT. 

man's skull or ])r()ko liis arm. There are no 
chance ])l{)ws in a Tirst-rate modern li<>lit with 
irloves. 

lUit, so far as we can iind, the " set-to " of the 
(ireek and Koman ])oxers was not unlike modern 
jHiirilisni. The records are rather vague as to the 
ancient manner of oivino: and i>"uardin<>- ])lows, l)ut 
there are some writinos and munerous drawinas 
and carvings showing that the position and action 
of the engaged boxers were precisely then as they 
are to-day. 

In a Greek drawinir of boxers with the cesfus 
now before me, one of the men stands in a most 
approved modern attitude, the left foot and hand 
advanced, the left arm slightly bent, and the 
right arm held across the lower chest, just as a 
careful l)()X(n" of to-day covers "the wind" or 
" the point." 

The (xreeks were the first boxers. Puii'ilism 
appeal's to have ])een one of the earliest distinc- 
tions in i)lay and exercise that appeared between 
the Ilelleiu's and their Asiatic fathers. The 
unarmed })ersonal encounter was indicative of a 
sturdier manhood. The suppleness and adroit- 
ness of the Oriental were sui)planted by the 
lieavier build and more direct attack of the 
Eur()i)ean. 

The modern Englishman claims for his country 



ANTIQUITY or BOXING. 



15 



the invention of the art of boxing, at least with 
skill and bare hands. 

"James Figg was the father of l^oxing," saj^s 
" The History of British Boxino-," and " Brough- 
ton was the first man who taught countering and 
parrying and bending to escape a 1)low." This 
claims quite too much. 

Two thousand five hun- 
dred years ago Greek 
boxers used only their 
bare hands. They did 
nothing rudely, or in- 
completely, in Greece ; 
and their exercise must 
have )>een much the same ^ 
as. ours. Later, as the 
contests at tlie great na- 
tional games of Greece 
])ecame fiercely earnest, 
the hands and arms were 
surrounded with thonos of leather, at first reach- 
ins: to the wrists, like our " hard aloves," then 
carried up to the elbow, and afterward extending 
up to tlie shoulder, the hands l)eing heavily 
weighted and knol)l)ed with lead and iron. 

The cestus of the Greeks, copied by the 
Romans, was a dreadful boxino- olove, or gaunt- 
let, composed of raw-hide thongs and metal. 




^{{r 



OJ )V' 



RAW-IIIDK CESTUS FKOM 
HERCULANKtTM. 



hi 



KTllUS OF JiOXlNG AM) .MAM.V SPORT. 



A trciiKJiidoiis ce.slus, loiiiid in llerciiliinouni, 
was composed of sovernl lliicknesses of raw 
liido fastened toiiether and ronndcd on tlie 
edii:o. Ilok'S were eiit tlironali for the iinirers, 
and the thnmb overlai)})ed the .side. 

It is evident from liiis a\shis that there were no 
*' straiiiht l)lows" in Greek l)oxinir when it was 
used. A " straight counter" woukl ol)viouslv 
])reak the striker's iinaers, for the striking })oint 
is inside the raw-hide ])hites. This cruel boxinir 
gkne coukl only liave been used for round ])lows, 
or for the absurd old Enalisli ])k)W called "the 
chop]^er," wliich was delivered by the back of the 
hand in an outward and downward swinsr. 




THE KorNU CKSTl S. 

Here (as Grecdv art tells us) is the form of 
castas used ])y Polhix, one of the twin brothers 
who "fought tlicir way like Hercules himself to 
a seat on Mt. Olympus."' 

These twins, the Dioscuri, i)resided over all 
rjreek games. C^istor being the god of equestrian- 
ism, Pollux the ii'od of boxiuir. 



ANTIQUITY OF BOXING. 17 

111 those golden days, Amyous, son of Xeptiuie, 
was kincr of the Bebryces, and he was a famous 
boxer with the cestiis; indeed, he called himself 
" the champion of the world." He kept a stand- 
in2: challeno'e to all comers. AVlien the Aro^o- 
nauts were sroins: to Colchis for the irolden fleece, 
the}' touched at the port of Amycus, and were 
received most kindly by the king, who was evi- 
dently " spoilins: for a fiirht." He told his ijuests 
after dinner that he could -'knock out ''any boxer 
in Greece or elsewhere ; that he could, as modern 
challengers express it, "send them to sleep." 

Amonir the Ar^ronauts was Pollux, who had 
lately been winning the lirst prizes at the Pythian 
games. He accepted the challenge, not knowing 
that it was the custom of Amycus to kill his man 
with a foul blow. The flofht came off, and it was 
a resolute controversy. Amycus tried all his 
skill and stremrth to deliver his wicked blow, but 
now he had met a miirhtv man. At last Amycus 
tried to get in his deadly stroke by a trick, and 
this roused the wrath of Pollux, who straightway 
killed the unfair li<rliter, and l)ound his body to a 
tree. The ioviw o^ cestiis o\\ the preceding page is 
from an antique bronze representing the battle. 



16 ETHICS OF BOXLNG AND MANLY SPOKT. 



IV. 

THE ATHLETES OF ANCIENT GREECE. 

The term ''athlete" was applied in Greec8 
only to those who contended in the public games 
for prizes, exclusive of musical and other contests 
where bodily streniith was not needed. It was 
not ai)plied to what we call amateurs, or those 
who exercised without the incentive of a prize. 
The '' athletes " were the distinct forerunners of 
the trained tiuhting men who became a profes- 
sional clas-; in Greece (400-300 b. c). It was 
not the value of the prizes themselves which led 
men to devote their lives to athletic exercises. 
That was at most very insi2:nificant. But, from 
the heroic legends of competitions for prizes, 
such as those at the funeral of Patroclus, from 
the great anticjuity of the four national games 
of Greece (the Olympian, Pythian, Nemean 
and Isthmian, with the local Panathenani at 
Athens) , and from the high social position of the 
competitors in early times, there gradually be- 
came attached to each victory in one of these 
games so nuich glory that the townsmen of a 
victor were ready to, and frequently did, erect a 



THE ATHLETES OF ANCIENT GREECE. 19 

statue to liim, receive him in triumph, and care 
for him the rest of his life. 

The actual prizes oflered at the Greek national 
uames were of no intrinsic value. The hiahest 
reward was the sense of havins^ done well. At 
the Olympian games the victor was croAvned with 
olive ; at the Pvthian orames, with laurel ; at the 
Xemean games, with parsley ; and at the Isthmian 
games with pine. 

But though the Greek games, in this respect, 
favorably compare with the gambling and greed 
of our modern race-course or other contest, the 
reward of the victor was not wholly comprised in 
his olive crown, or his sense of glory. The suc- 
cessful athlete received splendid rewards. At 
the Olympic games, a herald proclaimed to the 
nuiltitude the winner's name, his parentage, and 
his country ; the priests took from a table of ivory 
and gold the olive crown and placed it on his head, 
and in his hand a branch of pahn : as he marched 
in the sacred procession to the Temple of Zeus, 
his admirers showered flowers in his path, and 
costlv shifts, and sans: the old victor sonir of 
Archilochus. His name was then inscribed in the 
Greek Calendar. "Fresh honors and rewards 
awaited him on his return home," says F. Storr. 
"If he was an Athenian, he received, according 
to the law of Solon, five hundred drachmie,and 



20 ETHICS OF BOXING AM) MANLY SPOItT. 

free rations for life in the rrytaneiiiii ; if a Spar- 
tan , lie bad the post of honor in battle. Great poets 
like Pindar, Sinionides, and Euripides sung his 
praises, and sculptors like Phidias and Praxiteles 
were engaged hy the State to carve his statute. 
. . . Altars Avere built, and sacrifices ofiered 
to a successful atldete." 

Xo wonder, then, that an Olynipian prize was 
regarded as the crown of human happiness. 

Cicero tells the story of Diagoras of Rhodes, 
who, having himself won a first prize at Olympia, 
and seen his two sons crowned as winners on the 
same day, was addressed by a Laconian in these 
words: "Die, Diagoras, for thou hast nothing 
short of divinity to desire." Alcibiadcs, when 
declaring his services to the State, puts first his 
victory at Olympia, and the prestige he had won at 
Athens for his magnificent display. 

But, perhaps, the most remarkable evidence of 
the value the (ireeks attached to athletic powers 
is a casual expression of Thucydides, when de- 
scribing the enthusiastic reception of Brasidas at 
Scione. "The Government," he says, " voted 
him a crown of gold, and the nudtitude flocked 
round him and decked hin^ with garlands, as 
thowjh he were an athlete.'' 



THE TKAIMNG OF GREEK ATHLETES. 21 



Y. 

THE TRATXIXG OF GREEK ATHLETES. 

Agaixst specially trained athletes the better 
class of Greek citizens refused to compete, and the 
lists of the public games being thus left practically 
open to professionals, training became more a 
matter of svstem and stud^■, particular! v in regard 
to diet, which was rigorously prescribed for the 
athletes by a public functionary. 

At one time the ]')rincipal food of Greek athletes 
consisted of fresh cheese, dried tia's, and wheaten 
])read. Afterward meat was introduced, o-ener- 
ally beef or pork ; but the bread and meat were 
taken separately, the former at breakfast and the 
latter at dinner. Except in Avine, the quantity 
was unlimited, and the capacity of some of the 
heavy wei<rhts must have been enormous, if such 
stories are true as those about ^lilo. 

^Mih) was not a l)oxer, but a wrestler. He was 
six times victor at the 01vmi)ian aames. He was 
a ofreat soldier, a successful a'cneral. lie carried 
a four-vear-old heifer on his shoulders throuah 
OIym[)ia, and afterward eat the whole of it in one 
day. Poor Milo, stroma as he was, died horribly 



22 ETHICS OF nOXING ANU MANLY' SPORT. 

in the end. Passing through a forest one clay, he 
saw the trunk of a tree that had been partially 
split ()i)on. He tried to rend it farther, but the 
wood closed on his hands, and while he was thus 
held he was devoured l)y wolves. 

The traininij of (Ireek athletes consisted, beside 
the ordinary gy nniastic exercises of the palcestra, 
in oarrvinir heavy loads, liftinii: weights, bendinii 
iron rods, striking at a suspended leather sack 
filled with sand or flour, taming bulls, etc. 
Boxers had to practise delvinc: the around to 
sti'engthen their upper limbs. The competitions 
open to athletes were in running, leaping, throw- 
inir the discus, wrestling, boxinir, and the Pan- 
cratium. or a combination of boxinir and wrestlinsf. 

Victory in this last was the hiuhest achieve- 
ment of an athlete, and was reserved only for 
men of extraordinary strength. The competitors 
were naked, having their l)odies salved with oil. 

An athlete could begin his career as a boy in 
contests set a})art for boys. He ccmld appear 
again as a youth against his equals, and, though 
always unsuccessful, could ao on competin"" until 
the aire of thirtv-tive, when he was debarred, it 
being assumed that after that period of life, he 
could not imi)rove. The most celebrated CJreek 
athletes whose; names have been handed down, 
beside those above mentioned, are Milo, Hippos- 



THE SACRED GAMES OF GREECE. 



23 



thenes, Hercules, Eiyx, Antfeeus, Epeus, Eury- 
alus, Entellus, Polydamus, Promachus and Glau- 
cus. 

Gyre lie, famous in the time of Pindar for its 
athletes, appears to have still maintained its repu- 
tation to at least the time of Alexander the Great, 
for in the British Museum are to l^e seen six prize 
vases carried off from the games at Athens by 
natives of that district. These vases, found in the 
tombs of the winners, are made of clay, and are 
painted on one side with a representation of the 
contest in which thev were won, and on the other 
side with a fioure of Pallas Athenae, with an in- 
scription telling where they were gained, and in 
some cases addino- the name of the magistrate of 
Athens, from which the exact year can be obtained. 



YI. 



THE SACRED GAMES OF GREECE. 



It is not to be doubted that the Greek boxers 
attained to a hiiih dciiTce of skill in counterins: 
and parrying. Xo awkward or unskilled athletes 
were allowed to appear at the ()l>'mpian or other 
national shames, where boxinir was one of the five 



"24: KTHICS OF lJOXIN(; AM) ,MANLV .SPOKT. 

principal exercises. At the Olympian games, the 
order was leapinir, ruiminir, throwinir, boxin<>\ 
wrestlinir. 

It may be truly said that the supremacy of 
Greece as the teacher of the Western and Xortli- 
ern world in all the higher forms of civilization, 
was intimately related to the marvellous compe- 
tition of physical and intellectual manhood in 
these great sacred games. So profoundly w^as the 
Greek mind affected l)y the games, which were held 
every four years at Olympia, that time was divided 
into Olympiads, and this method of reckonintr 
continued for many centuries. 

Prizes at these iranies were iriven not onlv for 
athletic exercises, but for music, sinainir, oratorv, 
and poetry. Herodotus read his history at the 
Olympic, and Orpheus won the first prize for 
music at the Pythian games. Alcibiades, the 
Athenian scholar, soldier, ruler, savs Plutarch, 
was the most successful and the most mairnificent 
in his exercises of all that ever contended in these 
games. lie obtained at one solemnity (the 01 vm- 
pic, which lasted five days), the first, second, and 
fourth prizes for chariot-racinsf. 

There is a lesson for moderns in these national 
games of Greece. There was no other occasion 
on which the Greek was so forcibly impressed 
with the glory of his own race and nationality. 



THE SACRED GAMES OF GREECE. 



2d 



The games were opened to all Greeks. There 
was no exemption — except for women. 

There was a riixorous law that if anv woman 
was found so much as to have passed the river 
Alpheus during the Olympian games, she was to 
be thrown headlono' from a rock ; and this con- 
tinned until Pherenice. who went disouised to 
attend on her son while he wrestled, was appre- 
hended and tried. She vras acquitted, out of re- 
spect to her father, brothers and son, who had all 
won first i)rizes at the frames. Afterward women 
were admitted, and then even contended at the 
oames. Cvnisca, the daughter of Archidamus, 
was the first woman who was crowned at Olvm- 
pia ; and after her, many women, especially those 
of Macedonia, were crowned as the winners of 
prizes. 

The Komans also excluded women ; but Augus- 
tus allowed them to witness the o'ladiatorial fiohts, 
and assianed them a place in the hi<2.-hest seats of 
the amphitheatre. 

Rich and poor among the Greeks were allowed 
to enter on the same terms. The preparatory 
course was long, arduous, and not to be escaped. 
Every competitor was ol)liged to give ten months' 
training- before he was allowed to enter the a'ames. 
The pul)lic gynmasium was at Elis, and thither 
the competitors had to go for the ten months of 
traininof. 



26 ETHICS or liOXIXG and AlANLY SPOKT. 

This rule was so important that if a man won a 
prize and it was then found that he had evaded 
any i)ortion of this long training, the prize was 
given to his opponent, thus showing the value laid 
u})on tlie continuous })hysical education by those 
in authoritv. 

To irnard asfainst gamblinir and dishonoral^le 
l)ractices, contenders had to swear that thev liad 
fuUilled the conditions of entering ; and they, 
their fathers and l)rethren took, also, a solemn 
oath, that they would not, l)y an unfair or un- 
lawful means, endeavor to stop or interfere with 
the i)roccedinirs of the iriimes. 

It is not likely that athletes trained in this 
manner were inferior boxers, nor that they were 
ignorant of such primary principles as countering 
and iiarrvinir. 



VII. 

THE SKILL OF GIIEEK BOXERS. 

It is easy to prove that the Greek Avas a master 
not oidy of the straight-counter (which any man 
who used a short, straight sword would naturally 
learn), but of the cross-counter, one of the most 
skilful and ell'ective blows known to modern 
boxinir. 



THE SKILL OF GREEK BOXERS. 27 

In Homer's time, the cross-counter, wliicli is 
supposed to be comparatively a recent discovery 
in pugilism, was clearly understood. Let any one 
who understands boxins: follow the movements in 
this description by Homer of the bare-handed 
fio'ht between Ulvsses and the ruffian Irus. The 
ruffian, a Sfiant in size, has otossIv insulted 
Ulysses, who is in disguise, and a ring is formed 
by a lot of idlers eaa'er to see a fiaht. 

The bully, Irus, like all bullies, is a coward. 
He has watched Ulysses stripping, and is terrified 
when he realizes the kind of man he has aroused. 
But he is drasfired to the scratch, and as thev face 
each other, Ulvsses, disixusted at his crino'ins: 
cowardice, concludes that he is not worth killino', 
and that he will only " knock him out.'' eliist 
then Irus strikes out savaaelv — he " led with his 
left," in the parlance of the gymnasium. We 
know it was his left, because the blow fell on 
Ulysses' right shoulder. Says Homer, who evi- 
dently knew just what he was describino' : 

" On his right shoulder Irus laid his stroke; 
Ulysses struck him just beneath the ear, 
His jawbone broke, and made the blood appear; 
When straight he strewed the dust." 

Now, this was a straioht-cross-counter, accu- 
rately described, and it tells a whole story of 
striking and parrying, as we shall see presently. 



28 



ETHICS UF BoXIM; \Sl) .MANLY fiPUKT 



Here is another renderinir of the same liirht from 
Pope's translation : 

'* That instant Inis his huge arm extends, 
Full on his shoulder the rude weight descends, 
The sage Ulysses fearful to disclose 
The hero latent in the man of woes. 
C'heck'd half his might, yet, rising to the stroke. 
His jawbone dash'd; the crashing jawbone broke." 

Now, let US analvze this enirairement. Irus 
leads with his left at Ulysses" head, and his blow 
falls on the n'r^/it shoulder. Therefore, Ulvsses 




A sTRAn;irr rRoss-roiNTER 
(In>t:intaueous I'liotograph.) 

did just what to-day Sullivan or Smith would do : 
he moved his head to the left, and let the bhjw 
come full on his right shoulder — with a purpose. 
For he, at the same moment, "risinir to the 
stroke," crossed Irus' arm with his riiiht. '• struck 
him just beneath the ear," broke his jaw, and 



THE SKILL OF GKEEK BOXERS. 29 

knocked him out. He must have done this, for 
there was no other way of breakino- Irus' iaw. 
He could not have struck him with his left, for 
Irus' jaAv was nearer to his right. 

This straight cross-counter, which the Greeks 
knew, is the most effective and the most powerful 
blow that can ])e given, except the round blow. 

Of the tight between the heavy-weight Epeus 
and Euryalus, after the funeral of Patroclus, here 
is a report : 

" Him great Tydides urges to contend, 
"Warm with the hopes of conquest for his friend ; 
Officious with the cincture, girds him round, 
And to his Avrists the (/loves of death are bound. 
Amid the circle now each cliampion stands, 
And poises higli in air his iron hands; 
Witli clashing gauntlets now they fiercely close. 
Their crackling jaws reecho to the blows. 
And painful sweat from all their members flows. 
At length Epeus dealt a weighty blow 
Full on the cheek of his miwary foe ; 
Beneath the ponderous arms' resistless sway 
Down dropped he nerveless, and extended lay." 

Here w^e see that the Greek ])oxer wore a belt 
like the modern, and that he fouii'ht in a rins^ ; but 
of the details of this h^ht we can iudi>*e nothin<r. 

There is a boxing match, however, in the 
"^Eneid,'' between Dares and the aged Entellus, 
in which the manner of the haht is 2:iven more 
clearly, and from wdiicli we learn that there was a 



30 ETHICS OF BOXING AND .MANLY SPOKT. 

complete system of strikinir and parrvinir, jhuI, at 
least, one of the boxers was an adept at " du'.'kiiiu- " 
and " irettinir awav ; " 




HE "WASTES HIS FORCES OX THE WIND. 

(Instantaneous Photograph.) 



• This saiil, Entellus for the fight prepares, 
Strippe;! of his quilted coat, his body bares: 
Composed of mighty bones and brawn he stands, 
A goodly, towering object on the sands. 
Then just ..Eneas equal arms supplied. 
Which round their shoulders to their icrists they tied. 
Both on the tip-toe stand, at fidl extent. 
Their arms aloft, their bodies inly bent; 
Their heads from aiming blows they bear afar. 
With clashing gauntlets then provoke the war. 
Yet equal in success, they ward, they strike, 
Their ways are different, but their art alike. 
IJeforc, behind, the Idows are dealt; around 
Their hollow sides the rattling thumps resoimd; 



THE GLADIATORS OF E03IE. 31 

A storm of strokes, well meant, with fm-y flies, 

And errs about their temples, ears, and eyes; 

Nor always errs, for oft the gauntlet draws 

A sweeping stroke along the crackling jaws. 

Hoary with age, Entellus stands his ground, 

But with his warping body wards the wound. 

His hand and watchful eye keep even pace, 

Wliile Dares traverses and sJnJ'ts Ms place, 

With hands on high, Entellus threats the foe; 

But Dares watched the motion from below, 

And slipped aside, and shunned the long- descending blow. 

Entellus wastes Ms forces on the wind, 

And, thus deluded of the stroke designed. 

Headlong and heavy fell." 

There was much more than rude " o:ive-and- 
take " in this fiofht. It was skilful boxina* even 
from a modern stand-point. 



YIII. 

THE GLADIATORS OF FtOME. 

Amoxg the Komans, fond as thev were of 
exhibitions of physical skill and strength, the pro- 
fession of athlete was entirely an exotic, and was, 
even under the empire, with difficulty transplanted 
from Greece. The system, and the athletes them- 
selves, were always purely Greek. 

The vicious luxury of imperial Rome had de- 
graded the gymnasium into the circus, and the 



:\'2 KTlllCS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPOUT. 

athlete into the liladiator. The gladiatorial shows 
of the einperor.s were sii»ii enough that a cruel 
and aboniinal)le power was preparing for its own 
destruction. 

Tile tirst iiladiatorial shows were exhil)ited in 
the Forum Boariuni, 2()J: B.C., 1>y ?.Iarcus and 
Decinuis Brutus, at tlie funeral of their father. 
This was an evident survi\al of the still more 
ancient custom of sacrificing slaves and prisoners 
on the irraves of illustrious chieftains. Onlv three 
pairs fouixht on this occasion ; but the taste o-rew 
like fire for these shows, and the number of com- 
batants increased rapidly. Titus Flaminius, in 
174 B.C., celebrated his father's obsequies by 
a three-davs' fiuht with seventv-four' <rladiat()i-s. 
Julius Ctesar exliil)ited tliree hundred pairs in 
one show ; and durinir the later years of the 
rei)ublic the gladiators had grown so powerful, 
every no])leman em]:)lovin<i a bodv-^ruard of them, 
that they kept the city in a state of constant peril 
and unrest. 

Under the empire, notwithstanding: proliil)itorv 
laws, the passion for the gladiatorial shows 
steadily increased. One hundred pairs was the 
fashionable number for a private entertainment. 
It was a debauch of blood and cruelty. The vile 
Claudius would sit in his chair of state from 
morning till night, watching the bloody work, 



THE GLADIATOUS OF HOME. 33 

and descending now and then to urge the hcsi- 
tathis: fia'hters, who were at once monsters and 
victims. Under Xei'o, senators, and even women 
of the noble families, appeared as combatants. 
Titus ordered a frhuliatorial show that lasted a 
hundred days ; and Trajan, in one triumphal show, 
exhibited five thousand pairs of gladiators. 
Domitian, at the Saturnalia of 90 A.D., ordered 
a battle between dwarfs and women. It was over 
a hundred years later (200 A.D.) that a law was 
passed against female gladiators. 

Throughout the whole Roman empire had 
spread this horrible passion for human conflict to 
the death. "From Britain to Syria," says F. 
Storr, " there was not a town of any size that 
could not boast its arena and annual £>-ames." The 
following inscription from the pedestal of a statue 
shows the feeling of the provinces : 

" In four days, at Minturme, he showed eleven 
pairs of gladiators, who did not cease fighting till 
one half, all the most valiant men in Campania, 
had fallen. You remember it well, noble fellow- 
citizens." 

Gladiators were commonly drawn from prison- 
ers of war, slaves, or criminals condemned to 
death. The populace of Rome, drunken with the 
cruel sights, gloated on every fresh batch of tat- 
toed Britons who were marched in chains into the 



34 KTllRS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

city. Tlicy iTJoiced at the ^iglit of Thruciiins, with 
their strange bucklers, ^Moors, and Negroes. Even 
these grew scarce in time ; and then Oaliguhi 
and Xero, to meet the demand for victims, ordered 
all those nuiltv of minor offences, such as fraud, 
peculation, etc., to take their chances in the arena, 
^len of birth and fortune, for pure love of fight- 
in«-, sometimes fouuht as irladiators ; and one 
emperor, Conniwdus, actually appeared in person 
in the arena. 

Professional aladiators were trained in schools, 
owned either by the State or private citizens. It 
was a legitimate enterprise to own gladiators and 
hire them out. 

Sometimes a aladiator of irreat prowess became 
famous ; and then his fortune was made. The 
great i)octs praised him, and money and honors 
were showered on him ; l)ut the horril)le trade 
was detestable to brave men, and vet there were 
thousands of brave men condemned to it for life. 
'' AVe cannot forget," says Oibbon, " the desper- 
ate courage of about fourscore gladiators, reserved, 
with near six hundred others, for the inhuman 
sports of the amphitheatre. Disdaining to shed 
their blood for the amusenient of the populace, 
they killed their keepers, broke from their i)lace 
of confinement, and filled Rome Avith blood and 
confusion. After an ol)stinate resistance, they 



THE GLx\DIATOKS OF KOME. 35 

were overpowered and cut in pieces b}" the regular 
forces ; but they obtained, at least, an honorable 
death and the satisfaction of a just revenge." 

" There are few finer characters in Roman 
history," saj^s Storr, " than the Thracian Sparta- 
cus, who escaped from the gladiators' school of 
Lentulus, at Capua, and for three years defied the 
leojions of Rome." 

The gladiators fought with various weapons : 
the Samnites, with a short sword, a plumed 
helmet, and a shield ; the Thracians, with a round 
buckler and a das^srer ; some others with a net and 
a trident, some with a lasso, and many with the 
deadly cestus. 

The public interest in the shows may be judged 
from the fact that in the Circus Maximus there 
were seats for three hundred and fifty thousand ; 
or, as Juvenal says, "it held the whole of 
Rome." 

When the debauched people tired of merely 
human blood, the wilds of the world were ran- 
sacked for wild beasts to fia'ht with each other 
and with the gladiators. The generals and })ro- 
consuls were ordered in far countries to purchase 
giraffes, tigers, lions, and crocodiles / Sulla, in a 
single show, had one hundred lions. Pompey had 
six hundred lions, besides elephants, which fought 
Ga?talian hunters. When the Colosseum was 
opened nine thousand beasts were killed ! 



'Mt KTMICS OF lJOXIN(r AM) ^fANLV SI'OlIT. 

The ces/iis of the Koiiian ghidiators was even 
more terril)le than that of the Greeks. In Greece 
the end desired was skill and courage and strenirth ; 
in Koine the desire was for death. The death of 
an antagonist, unless by accident, was severelv 
punished in Greece; hut in Rome the sooner the 
gladiator killed his man the better. 

All the great writers and speakers of Rome 
praised and approved the gladiatorial shows, in- 
cluding Cicero, Pliny, and even the good ^larcus 
Aurelius. The tirst word against the shows was 
spoken by the Christian fathers, Tertullian, Lac- 
tantius, Cv|)rian, and Auirustine. 

The tirst Christian emperor of Rome abolished 
the games by an edict, in 325 A. I). ; 1)ut thev 
continued down to the time of St. Au"^ustine. 
To a Christian martyr, Telemachus, belongs the 
honor of their tinal aboHticm. In 404, there 
came from the East on this sacred mission a monk 
named Telemachus. When the terrible fi«dit was 
most intense, he rushed into the arena, and en- 
deavored to sci)arate the combatants. lie was 
instantly killed, by order of the pnetor : but the 
Kmi)eror Ilonorius, on hearing the report, abol- 
ished the games, which were never afterwards 
revived. 



FEUDALIS31 SUPPRESSED POPULAR ATHLETICS. 37 



IX. 

FEUDALISM SUPPRESSED POPtXAR ATHLETIC 

EXERCISES. 

With the advent of cbivalrv. the art of boxinor 
waned. The evolution of feudal aristocracv, with 
other and widely different exercises, pastimes and 
weapons from those of the common people, made 
boxinn unlashional)le. 

With the advance of feudalism came the gri-owth 
of iron armor, until, at last, a ii:rhtinof-man resem- 
bled an aiTuadillo. He was iron-clad from top 
to toe. His weapons had changed accordingly. 
The short sword of the Greek and Eoman sol- 
dier, STOod for a stout hand-to-hand tiirht, was 
replaced by a long and heavy blade and a ponder- 
ous iron-spiked mace. 

Boxinsr in those davs came to be resrarded as 
mere child's play, or as the rude pastime of the 
vuljiar. 

The baron was a mounted man, who jousted 
with a ten-foot lance, and fought dismounted with 
an axe, or a sword live or six feet lonor, double- 
hiked, weighing from eight to twelve pounds. 

The student of sociolosrv will tind in the his- 



38 i:thics of boxing and manly spout . 

toiy of the sword alone ii key to the political and 
social classifications of Europe, and, prol)al)ly, 
of Asia also, could wo trace the evolution of its 
military arms and methods. 

In all countries and times where the connnon 
man was ready and al)le to fiirht, sini>lv and com- 
tined, freedom was at its highest. The ability of 
the common man to assert himself is every where 
and always the measure of popular liberty. 

The urowth of armaments and o-overnments 
everywhere corresponds with the decrease of per- 
sonal and popular freedom. This may be fol- 
lowed frojn the fist, staft', or knife of the peasant 
or mechanic, to the sword of the *' irentleman,'' the 
lance, horse, and armor of the lord, the nudtijdied 
muskets of the king, and the Krupp guns and 
iron-clads of the emperor. 

The knowinir how to fiaht makes common men 
self-reliant and indei)endent. A people are pre- 
l)aring for their own subjection to a class, or 
a tyranny, where a aeneration is allowed to "tow 
up without physical training and enudation. 

It has always been the aim of royalty and aris- 
tocracy to lower the individual liberty and inde- 
pendence of the connnon people. 

A baron and a minute-man could not breathe 
the same air. 

Every boy in a free country ought to be in- 



FEUDALISM SUPPRESSED POPULAR ATHLETICS. 39 

structed in boxinir. wrestliiiir and the use of 
weapons. Every young man ought to he drilled. 
Every householder ou<iht. Jit least, to have a risht 
to own a rifle, and should know how to make 
cartridges. Then the moral forces will cement 
the po[)ular self-respect and independence into a 
solid wall of civilization. 

Nothing could better illustrate the helplessness 
of a people taken ^>\ surprise l)y a small, well- 
organized, and usurping class, than the invasion 
and conquest of England by the Xormans. These 
foreign land robbers seized the surface of the 
countrv. which thev hold to this daA'. Thev took 
possession of fields and farmers together, built 
their frowning towers on the hills and passes, 
organized and exercised their own forces, and set 
about a complete and permanent disorganization 
and disarmament of the Enolish masses. 

Their first step in this direction was the al)oli- 
tion of warlike exercises, orames, and customs. 
The basis of Enolish liberty was the ancient svs- 
tem of v:apental:e , which was equivalent to the 
town meetimr of Xew En£rland. (Were this the 
place to consider it, the similarity of these two 
truly English systems of home rule miirht be 
interestinirlv treated ) Under the system of 
wajyenfal'e. every community in Saxon England 
selected its own local irovernment, and knew no 



40 ETHICS OF BOXIXG AND MANLY SPOUT. 

otliei- ruliiiii- but that of the kino's iiid«'-cs. The 
political unit was a family, not a person. Ten 
families were called a tvthino', tliirt}' a trythino-, 
one hundred a township called by that name. 
These old Saxon divisions still exist in the " rid- 
ings" (try things) and ''hundreds" of the northern 
English counties. 

The local authority was settled yearly, each 
family of the hundred sending its head to a meet- 
ing, where one was selected as the leader or 
justice of the conununity. When this selection 
was made, the selectman lowered his spear, and 
all the others came forward and touched it with 
their own. 

This was the impenta'ke , or weapon-touch ; and 
there was no higher authority than this in Saxon 
England, except the king. 

The system of impentalce was abolished in the 
following manner: the Conqueror AYilliam divided 
England into sixty thousand shares, or shires, to 
eacli of which was appointed a Xorman knight as 
owner and lord. Tin's was the formal introduc- 
tion into England of the feudal system, in 108G, 
by the Great Council of the reahn, assembled at 
Sarum. 

As soon as the Xorman knights took their shires 
these l)ecame the political units instead of the 
hundreds, and to each of these they appointed a 



FEUDALISM SUPPKESSED POPULAR ATHLETICS. 41 

king's officer to take the place of the selectman 
of the ivapeiitalt'e. The king's officer was called 
a sheriff (from the words sJiire and i^eeve, or 
keeper). 

The leaderless English people were without 
organization or national purpose. They had to 
submit and see their ancient and beloved customs 
and lil)erties trodden under foot. 

Then their new masters, the kni<2:hts, set about 
quietly disarming the people. Tlieyalso discoun- 
tenanced all popular militaiy customs, and even 
the usual athletic exercises and a'ames. 

AVithin a single generation the people had ren- 
dered up their arms and local rights to the 
knights, who were bound only to help the king 
in his wars. 

Before the conquest, every Englishman was a 
spearman or bowman, and quarter-staff and other 
lusty exercises w :re the common pastime of the 
people. That was the time when England was 
called, and deservedlv, " Merrie England.*' 

Addison, writing about popular exercises 
(" Spectator," Xo. 161), alludes to "an old stat- 
ute which ol)li2:ed everv man in Enaland, having' 
such an estate, to keep and exercise the longbow ;" 
by which means, he says, "our ancestors excelled 
all other nations in the use of that weapon, and 
we had all the real advantaijes without the incon- 
venience of a standing army." 



42 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

Under the XoriDaii landlords the sports and 
exercises of the common En2:lishman were de- 
irraded into rudeness, until " Hod<re," the name 
his insolent master iiave him and still uives him, 
knew nought of athletic skill except a crude form 
of wrestling with body-holds. The bow, the pike, 
or spear, and even the quarter-statf, ^vere taken 
from him, and the skilful use of these weapons was 
forirotten in the land. 

The kniizht wanted no fiirhtinof men except 
those whom he enlisted and trained for his own 
or the king's service. The others had better be 
unskilled, unlearned, undisciplined and uncouth 
breeders and producers of the necessary wealth 
from the soil, menials and payers of land-rent. 

This deo-radation of manlv and militarv exer- 
cises continued in England for six centuries. It 
beaan to chamre onlv in the earlv part of the last 
centurv. 

In Ireland it continues still. " There are no 
l)oxers in Ireland," said a travelled athlete to me 
the other day. Xo ; the landlord government has 
been able to continue the Irish i)oi)ular disorgani- 
zation. Foot-ball, hurlinof, wrestlinir, and boxinir 
were frozen out. AVhen Donnelly defeated the 
English champions in the early i)art of this cen- 
tury, it was considered a dangerous example and 
precedent for Irishmen ; and from that time the 



THE FIRST MODEPiX CHAMPION BOXEPt. 43 

people have been legislated, educated, and gov- 
erned into io'norance of all means of attack and 
defence, and of evervtliino- l)ut work in the fields. 

Bat within a few years the Irish people have 
bes'Lin res-olatelv to play the old heroic frames of 
the Gael once more, as their Enolish brothers 
had lono' o-one back to the manly exercises of the 
Saxon. 

In the first quarter of the last century, the arts 
of boxing, sword-play, and quarter-staff were be- 
ginning to attract public attention in Great Bri- 
tain and Ireland. But these exercises were in an 
extremely rude condition. There was, especially 
for boxinir, no unity of knowledoe, no well- 
known teachers, no established rules. The idea 
of a national championship was not yet lx)rn. 



X. 

THE FIRST 3IODERX CIIA3IPI0X' BOXEE. 

Ix 1719 appears the first English pugilist who 
can be considered as a national champion. His 
name was James Fioo". He had an "academy" 
for manly exercises in Tottenham Court Koad, 
London. 
.Like all the boxino' masters of that time, and 



44 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

for a lonir time after, Fiair was also a professional 
swordsiiiaii and quarter-stall' player. Ilis card 
read as follows : 



JAMES FIGG, 

Master of ye Xoble Science of Defence on 
ye right hand in Oxford road near Adam & 
Eve court, teaches gentlemen ye use of ye 
small backsword and quarterstaff, at home 
and abroad. 



But in Figg's day (1719-34) boxing had evi- 
dently not been reduced to any intellio-ent rules, 
though his cards professed to teach " defence 
scientifically." Figg himself was so famous for 
** stops and parries," that he is mentioned in the 
*'Tatler," *' Guardian" and* " Craftsman," the 
foremost literary papers of the time. He is de- 
scribed by Capt. Godfrey, a famous patron of the 
athletes of his day, as "a matchless master." 
'* There was a majesty shone in his counte- 
nance," says Godfrey, "and blazed in all his ac- 
tions beyond all I eyer saw. His rii>ht leir bold 
and iirm, and his loft, zc/n'ch could hardlij ever 
he disfurhed, gaye hiin surprising advantage, and 
struck his adversary with despair and panic." 

The " backsword " of Fiair's time still remains 



THE FIRST MODEKX CHAMPION BOXEK. 



45 



a favorite exercise in England. It is a rude 
sword-exercise, all cuts and parries, as if the 
sword had no point. 

One of the mysteries of sword-knowledge is 
the lena'th of tinie which some nations took to 
learn that the efiective part of the weapon was 




SET-TO. 



the point and not the edge. The point of a 
sword, durino' an emjasrement, is never more than 
two feet from an opponent's body, while the edge 
for a cutting-blow is from four to seven feet (in 
sweeping cuts, for instance). 



40 ET111C8 OF JJOXING AND MANLY .SPOUT. 

Besides the adviuitagc in space and time, the 
wound of the i')()int is apt to pierce the vitals, 
while the wound of the edii'e is a mere surface 
cut or bruise. 

And yet, how few nations have straiirhtened 
their sabres and sharpened their points ! 

The absurd old "backsword" play, with a 
*' hanging guard," is the only exercise safe for 
the vile, curved sabres that even American cav- 
alry are equipped with to-day. 

But in Fi<ra''s time, the professional fiiihtinir- 
man was really a master-of-weapons. Here, for 
instance, is a s})ecimen of the usual method of 
advertisin2' a comin2^ fiaht : — 






At tlie Bear Garden in Hockley on the Hole. 
A trial of skill to be performed between two profound 
Masters of the Xoble Science of Defence, on Wednesday next, 
being this 13th of the instant July, 1700, at two of the clock 
precisely. 

"I, George Gray, born in the city of Xorwich, who has 
fought in many parts of the West Indies, and was never yet 
worsted, and now lately come to London, do invite James 
Harris to meet and exercise at these following weapons, viz. : — 
Back Sword, f Single Falchon 

Sword d' Dagger, ■{ and 

Sword <t Buckler, 1 Case of Falchons. 

"I, .James Harris, Master of the Noble Science of Defence, 
who formerly rid in the Horse-guards, and hath fought a 
hundreil and ten prizes, and never left a stage to any man; will 
not fail (God willing) to meet this brave and bold Smiter at 
the time and place appointed, desiring sharp swords and no 
favor. YiVAT Kegixa." 



THE FIRST MODEUX CHAMriOX BOXEK. 47 

Other challenges, with the above weapons, add 
the quarter-staff. 

Fiira' was the first master to include boxinix in 
his challenges, of which the following is a speci- 
men : — 



G. /J^^im^kS 1^- 




" At Mr. Figg's Xftw Amphitlieatre, Joyning to his House, the 
sign of the City of Oxford, in Oxford Road, Marybone Fields, 
on Wednesday next, being the eighth of June, 1726, will be 
perform' d a tryal of skill by the following Masters. 

"Whereas, I, Edward Sutton, Pipemaker from Gravesend, 
and Kentish Professor of the Xoble Science of Defence, hav- 
ing, under a sleeveless Pretence been deny'd a Combat by and 
with the Extoll'd Mr. Figg, which I take to be occasioned 
through fear of his having that Glory eclipsed by me, where- 
with the eyes of all Spectators have been so much dazzled : 
Therefore, to make appear, that the great applause which has 
so nuich puff'd up this Hero has proceeded only from his 
Foyling such as who are not worthy the name of Swordsmen, 
as also that he may be without any farther excuse, I do hereby 
dare the said Mr. Figg to meet as above and dispute with 
me the Superiority of Judgement with the sword (which will 
best appear by Cuts etc.,) at all the Weapons he is or shall be 
then Capable of Performing on the Stage. 



(( 



I, James Figg, Oxonian Professor of the said science, will 
not fail giving this daring Kentish Champion an Opportmiity 
to make good his Allegations; when, it is to be hoped, if he 
finds himself FoylM he will then change his Tone, and not 
think himself one of the Xumber who are not worthy the name 
of Swordsmen, as he is please to signifie by his Expression: 



48 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPOUT. 

However, as the most Significant AVay of deciding these Con- 
troversies is by Action, I shall defer wliat I have to Act until 
the Time above specified ; when I shall take care not to deviate 
from my usual Custom, in making all such Bravadoes sensible 
of their Error, as also in giving all Spectators intire satisfaction. 
'"X.B. The doors will be open at Four, and the masters 
mount between Six and Seven exactly. 

"YiVAT Rex." 

Though Figg was, uiKlou])tedly,a notal)le l)oxor, 
he was more a teacher than a tighter, and his en- 
gagements were more with swords than fists. 

The first real fighting champion of Enghind, 
and certainly one of the n.iost influential boxers 
of the last century, was John, or '* Jack '' Brou<»h- 
ton, Avho is usually placed fifth or sixth on the 
list of champions. Broughton was a man of 
splendid i)hysique, just one inch short of six feet, 
handsome of face and tremendously powerful. 
He was also gentle and good tempered, which 
made him numerous friends. 



XT. 

TIIK FIRST MODEKX KULES OF THE KING. 

BiioroHTON was the first man who made regular 
rules for modern hoxing. Up to his time (and 
long after it, indeed), a i)rize-fight was a roui»h- 
and-tuml)le scrinunage, in which the men miirht 



THE FIRST MODERN RULES OF THE RIXG. 49 

choke each other, wrestle^ butt with the head, trip, 
and strike a man on his knees. 
Says the author of " Fistiana " : 

'• The inliiiman practices of uncivilized periods have sub- 
sisted to a disgraceful extent, and hence we have heard of 
gouging, piuring, kicking a man with nailed shoes as he lies 
on the groiuid, striking him in vital parts below the waistband, 
seizing him when on his knees, and administering punishment 
till life be extinct, and a variety of other savage expedients by 
which revenge or passion has been gratified. In Lancashire, 
even to this day, when a man is got down he is kept doT\n and 
pimished until incapable of motion — a mode of fighting which 
is permitted with impunity, unless, indeed, the death of the 
victim lead to the apprehension and trial of the survivor." 

" Bi'oughton's Rules," as they were called for 
nearly a century, were '' produced for the better 
regulation of the amphitheatre, approved by the 
gentlemen, and agreed to by the pugilists, Aug. 
1743." They continued in force till '*The Xew 
Rules of the Ring" were adopted in 1838. The 
following were " Broughton's Rules," and they 
tell their own story : 

"1. That a square yard be chalked in the middle of the stage, 
from which the men shall begin the fight; and every fresh set- 
to after a fall or being parted from the rails, each second is to 
bring his man to the side of the square and place him opposite 
the other. 

"2. After a fall, if the second does not bring his man to the 
side of the square within the space of half a minute, he shall 
be deemed a beaten man. 

"3. That no person shall be upon the stage except principals 
and seconds. 



jU ethics of boxing and manly sroiiT. 

''4. That no man be deemed beaten unless he fails coming up 
to the line in the limited time, or that his own second declares 
him beaten. 

"5. The winning man to have two-thirds of the money. 

"0. The principals to choose two umpires, who shall choose 
a referee. 

''7. That no boxer is to hit his adversary when he is down, 
or seize him by the ham, the breeches, or any part below the 
waist; a man on his knees to be reckoned down." 

The reu'ard that Enoflishmen had for boxins: in 
the last century may be judged from an article in 
the -'Connoisseur" (Aug. ^^^ 175-4). 

" Every man," says the " Connoisseur," " who 
has the honor of the British list at heart must 
look with admiration on the bottom, the wind, 
the game of this invincible champion, Slack." 

This praise followed Slack's fight with Petit, a 
full report of which was published in the " Con- 
noisseur," which was one of the first literary 
publications of the period. It is interesting to 
observe what kind of a fight was this. I quote 
from the " Connoisseur : " 

"IIarlstox in Xokfolk, July 30, 1754. 

"Yesterday, in the afternoon, Slack and Petit met and 
fought. At the first set-to. Petit seized Slack by the throat 
and held him up against the rails and (/rained him so much as 
to make him extremely black. This continued for half a 
minute, before Slack could break Petit' s hold." 

The fight proceeded in this style, Petit seizing 
Slack " by the hams," and Slack flinging Petit off 



THE FIRST MODEIiX RULES OF THE RING. 51 

the stage, until Petit ran away in terror, and the 
fiirht was <T^iven to Shick. 

SUick was in turn defeated by Stevens, the 
Nailer, who became champion in 1760. In the 
report of their fight the winning blow is thus 
descri])ed : "Stevens, with his riiiht hand beat 
Slack about the head, li'li'de at the same time tri])- 
jping him off his centre icith his foot.'' 

There is nothing particularly interesting in the 
records of British boxers till the close of the cen- 
tury. Daniel Mendoza, a Jew, and James Bel- 
cher, were the most noted names. Then came 
John Gully, champion from 1805 to 1808, a man 
who afterw^ard l^ecame a member of the British 
Parliament; Thomas Cribb, a really remarkable 
man and a great boxer ; Peter Corcoran, champion 
of Ireland and England, and Dan Donnelly, 
champion of Ireland and England. 

The condition of the "science" at this time 
may be judged from the fact that there were few 
crystallized principles of attack or defence. Every 
man had his own way for doing everything. For 
instance, the o^uard of ]\Iendoza was to hold his 
hands pretty close together, directly opposite his 
mouth, the back of the hand toward his opponent ; 
while another famous boxer named Johnson came 
on guard by planting his legs square, "with his 
arms held in almost a semi-circular direction be- 
fore his head." 



02 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPOKT. 



XII. 

DONNELLY AND COOPER ON THE CURRAGH OF 

KILDAP.E. 

One of the most famous fights in the liistoiy of 
])uuilism was that between the Enoflish and Irish 
champions, George Cooper and Dan Donnelly, 
which took place on the Curragh of Kildare, in 
the year 1815. 

Dan Doiuielly was one of the greatest boxers 
ever seen in the ring — a man who, in prowess 
and other characteristics, nuicli resembled John 
L. Sullivan. He was born in Dublin in 1788. 
He was a cari)enter by trade, and a man of ex- 
traordinary strength, good temper, generosity, 
antl pluck. He was noted in Dul)lin for his skill 
in boxing ; l)ut he was not a professional pugilist. 1 

In 1814, when Donnelly was twenty-six years 
old, one of the most famous })oxers in Enijland, 
named Thomas Hall, who had beaten Georire 
Gril)b and other renowned fighters, went to 
Ireland to make a tour of the countrv, irivina" 
exhibitions. His advent was proclaimed l)y an 
arroirantly worded challemre to "all Irehmd." 

He was checked by finding that his challenge 



DONNELLY AND COOPER ON THE CURKAGH. 53 

was at oiice publicly accepted in Dublin by Dan 
Donnelly, who was " backed " by as much money 
as was needed. 

This battle attracted international attention. 
In Ireland the excitement was very ijreat. When 
the men met on the Curra^'h of Kildare, on the 
14th of September, 1814, there were over thirty 
thousand persons present. Both men were cheered 
when they entered the ring ; and the fight was fair 




SPAKKIXO.— A KOUXD BLOW MISSED. 

(Instantaneous Photograph.) 

until Hall, finding himself overmatched, fell several 
times without a blow, and ultimately raised a cry 
of '' Foul," to cover his complete defeat. From 
the first round he had failed to make a sino-le 
l)oint on Donnelly, or to effectually stop one of 
Donnelly's. 



54 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

Then Gcorire Cooper, the best man in Enghmd, 
was sent from London against the Irish cham- 
l)ion. 

Cooper had defeated the leading boxers of 
England, including Carter and Thomas Molineux, 
the neo^ro heavv-weioht, and irreat hopes were 
founded on his terrible hitting powers. 

The national champions met on the Curragh of 
Kildare, on the same spot that had witnessed 
Donnellv"s victory over Hall. The place was 
called then, and will probably l)e called forever 
" Donnelly's Hollow." It is at the Newbridge 
end of the plateau on which the military huts are 
erected. 

A Boston traveller visited the Currairh a few 
months ago, and was taken by a proud native to 
the scene of the famous 1)attle. '' The footsteps 
of the champions," said this gentleman, the other 
day, "are still plainly visible. They are pre- 
served in this way : every visitor, especially 
those who love the ' noble art,' puts his feet in 
the ancient marks, which are thus preserved and 
deepened in the soft green sod." The positions 
of the men, as they began the fight, are pointed 
out. *' And over there," said the guide, "just out- 
side the ring stood Miss Kelly, who wagered 
thousands of pounds on Dan Donnelly." 

The battle took place on December 13, 1815, 



DONNELLY AND COOPER ON THE CUREAGH. 00 

in the forenoon. In Ireland the excitement over 
the tight was inten.se, and to this day the event 
is a topic of common conversation. On the 
morninir of the tiirht, the roads around the Cur- 
ragh of Kildare were choked up with carriages 
and wagons of all kinds, from the four-in-hand 
teams of the nobility to the donkey-carts of peas- 
ants all the wav from Cork or Connausfht. There 
was a vast multitude to see the fight, and the 
profoundest order and good temper prevailed. 




coming! 
(Instantaneous Photograph.) 



''Donnelly's Hollow " is probably one of the 
most perfect natural amphitheatres in the world. 
Here, on the sloping hill-sides, could stand or sit 
a hundred thousand men to behold a dramatic 



5(3 ETHICS OF IJOXIXCx AND 3IAXLY Sl'OllT. 

scene; and hero, on that day, was asseni1)led a 
greater crowd than had ever witnessed a l>oxinir 
contest since the close of the Olympic games. 
An English correspondent of the press described 
Donnelly in these words : 

"Donnelly at length stripped, amid tiumders of applause. 
The Venus de Medicis never underwent a more minute scrutiny 
by the critical eye of a connoisseur than did the champion of 
Ireland. There is nothing loose or puffy about him. He is 
strong and bony to all intents and purposes. He is all muscle. 
His arms are long and slingj-, his shoulders uncommonly fine, 
particularly when in action, and prominently indicating their 
punishing quality. His head is a fighting one, his neck a°thletic 
and bold; in height nearly six feet, in weight about thirteen 
stone, and his tout ensemble that of a boxer with first-rate 
qualifications. Thus much for his person ; now for his quality. 
His wind appears to be midebauched ; his style is resolute, firni^ 
and not to be denied. Getting away he either disdains or does 
not acknowledge in his system of tactics. He makes tremend- 
ous use of his right hand.'' 

After a storm-like cheer, the fight l)egan amid 
deep silence. From the first blow, Donnelly had 
the advantage. He gained the usual points — 
first blood and first knock-down. Cooper made 
a brave and desperate fight, and in the fifth round 
he knocked Donnelly ofi*his feet. In the seventh 
round Cooper was actually flung into the air bv a 
cross-])uttock, and in the eiglith was dashed under 
the ropes l)y a tremendous left-hander. 

For the next three rounds the result was simi- 
lar, the eleventh and last round closino- with a 



DONNELLY AND COOPER ON THE CURRAGH. 57 



fearful right-hand blow on Cooper's mouth, which 
knocked him senseless. 

The battle was awarded to Donnelly, amid the 




CROSS-BLTTOCK. 



cheers of both Irish and Eni>lish spectators. 
Donnelly then went to England and challenged 
all comers. 



r. o 



i)b ETHICS OF BOXING AND iMANLY SPORT. 

lie attracted almost as much attention as En^r- 
lishmen have recently given to Sullivan. Tom 
Crib!) undoubtedlv had been the leadinir boxer in 
his time ; but he had retired from the rinc: several 
years before Donnelly's visit to Enufland. 

England was in straits for a man al)le to meet 
Donnelly. It was looked upon even by the gov- 
ernment as dangerous, politically, to allow the 
Irishman to again defeat a British champion. 

At lenirth a stromr and al)le boxer, Oliver, was 
found to take up Donnelly's challeno-e. When 
the match was made, the chances of the fiaht 
filled the Three Kingdoms once more with matter 
for earnest discussion. It was said that one 
hundred thousand pounds (five hundred thousand 
dollars) were laid in bets on the l)attle. Every 
man in Ireland who had a pound to spare backed 
Dan Donnelly; and the "nobility and gentry" 
stood open-lianded behind Oliver. 

The national battle came off on July 21, 1811), 
within thirty miles of London. "Donnelly, on 
strii)ping," says the English report, "exhibited 
as fine a picture of the human frame as can well 
be imagined ; indeed, if a sculptor had wished a 
living model to display the action of the muscles, 
a tiner subject than Donnelly could not have been 
found. Oliver was equally fine. . . . He dis- 



DOXXELLY AXD COOPER OX THE CURRAGH. 59 

pla3'ed flesh as iirm as a rock. . . . Oliver 
had never been in so good condition before." 

It was a brave and desperate contest. As 
usual, Donnelly knocked his man down in the 
tirst round: drew '• first blood" in the second. 
In the seventh round, Oliver knocked Donnelly 
down, and this was almost his onlv successful 
point. Round after round ended in the same way 
— '-Oliver down." In the thirteenth round, 
when Oliver lay helpless on the ropes, Donnelly 
threw up his hands, so as not to be tempted to 
strike him, and for this he received a sfreat cheer. 
*' Very handsome ! " '• Bravo, Donnelly I " In 
the first hour there were thirty rounds fousfht, for 
the last four of which Oliver was gaining strength : 
but in the opening of the second hour Donnelly 
had got his ** second wind." and •• his eye began 
to blaze," though, says the English report, " he 
was as cool as a cucumber." The next three 
rounds were Donnelly's, and then the Englishmen 
stopped l)etting and cheering. But they showed 
fair play throughout the fight ; he is a poor kind 
of an Englishman who does not love fair play in a 
boxinsr match. Several times when •' foul " was 
cried aofainst Donnelly, and when, indeed, it 
might have been allowed by an umpire bent on 
ending the fight on a technicality, both umpire 
and crowd shouted: *' It is all riirht. Go on 



()() i<:thk's or uoxincj and manly spout. 

Donnelly !" In the thirty-fourtli round, Donnelly 
cross-coiintorod Oliver with terrific force, striking 
lilni on the lower jaw; then while he was dazed 
Donnelly whirled him over the rinir with a cross- 
buttock ; and Olivers seconds carried him oil' 
insensible. The fight was given to Donnelly, 
who was scarcely marked, and who immediately 
dressed himself and went olf to see another fight. 

It was said, and believed bv many, that Dan 
Donnelly, shortly after this fiiiht, was knighted 
by the rollicking Prince of Wales. At any rate, 
ever afterward he was called " Sir Dan." He 
died in 1820, from takino' a drink of cold water 
after a hard sparring bout. He was only thirty- 
two years of ai>'e. 

The last century saw pugilism raised in Eng- 
land and Ireland from barbarous rudeness to a 
hiiih deirree of skill. I have before me the 
" Manual of Self-Defence," as tauu'ht by Daniel 
^lendoza, who was champion of England in 1784. 

Mendoza was a renowned l)oxer, for skill, and 
it is interesting to study the contents of liis 
mamial. 

First, his <2,uard consisted of holdinir both fists 
opposite the chin, close together, elbows down- 
ward, the legs slightly l)ent ; left leg foremost; 
right foot toward the right, not directly behind ; 
weiij:ht of the l)ody on the foremoM le(i. 



DONNELLY AND COOPER ON THE CURRAGH. 61 

The blows tanaht bv Mendoza were of three 
kinds — " round, straight, and chopping blows." 
The round blow he considered the unskilled ef- 
fort ; and, strange to say, he depended most on 
the silly '* chop]^er," with the back of the hand, 
from alwve downward, a blow that no sane boxer 
would attempt to-day, except in fun. The straight 
blows were for the face and " wind." 

There is not a word in the Manual about the 




CROSS-COU>'TERED. 

(Instantaneous Photograph.) 

cross -counter, the upper-cut, or the scientific 
round blow, — the three best blows of modern 
boxinc:. 

In Mendoza's time, "gouging," that is, scoop- 
ing out the eyes of an opponent, was constantly 
practised ; and, in other respects, the prize-ring 
was a place of cruel and barbarous practices. 



62 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

Only six races or nations have produced natural 
VK)Xcrs, — the Greeks, the Jews, the Negroes, the 
Enirlish, the Irish, and the Americans. 

Within a centurv, the Jewish race has sent out 
some famous boxers ; amonir them Daniel Men- 
doza, once chami)ion of England ; and " Barney " 
Aaron, one of the best men of his time, — 1819 
-34. There have also been many leadins: Xesrro 
Ijoxers, the tirst of whom was ^lolynoaux, a con- 
temporary of Donnelly in the last century. 




UPPER CUT. AS SULLIVAN STRIKES IT. 

(In^tiintaneous Photograph.) 

But the greatest boxers since the classic days 
of Greece are the modern men of Enirland and 
Ireland, and their descendants in America. And 
the latest are the greatest. 

No English champion, up to his time, ever 
equalled Tom Sayers, who was a mighty man in 
the ring from 1846 to 18G3. There was a posi- 



DONNELLY AND COOPER ON THE CUllRAGII. 03 

tive value in Sayers' life to his countrymen, no 
matter what objection may be made to prize- 

fio^htins:. 

Sayers proved that a small man can easily de- 
feat a big and heavy one by skill, pluck, and 
endurance. He was five feet eisfht and a half 
inches in height, and a hundred and fifty pounds 




UPPER-CUT — OLD-fIshIO^'ED. 



in weight; ])ut the "Tipton Slasher," who w\as 
six feet one inch in height, and two hundred and 
five pounds in weight, and a good boxer, was a 
mere child in his hands. 

And when Sayers fought John C. Heenan for 



(J4 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

the championship, there was a lesson of courage 
and nianlv pride to every bov and man in En2:land 
in the fact that the stout heart upbore the smaller 
man against the l)lows of a "^iant for two hours 
and twenty minutes, though, for nearly two hours 
of the time, the little man had to fiaht with his 
riii'ht arm broken. 

Xo wonder Thackeray celebrated this fight in a 
poem, after the manner of " Ploratius," entitled, 
*'A Lay of Ancient London, supposed to be re- 
counted to his great grand-children, April 7, a.d. 
1920, by an Ancient Gladiator." 

Thackeray carefully followed every feature of 
the fiirht, endino- thus : — 

" Two hours and more the fight had sped, 

Near unto ten it drew ; 
But still opposed, one-armed to blind, 

They stood, those dauntless two. 
Ah, me! that I have lived to hear 

Such men as ruffians scorned; 
Such deeds of valor "brutal"' called, 

Canted, preached down, and mourned. 
Ah! that these old eyes ne'er again 

A gallant mill shall see ! 
No more behold the ropes and stakes, 

"With colors flying free ! 



And now my fists are feeble, 
And my blood is thin and cold ; 

But 'tis better than Old Tom to me 
To recall those days of old, 



A LESSON EVEX IN A FIGHT. 65 

And may you, my great-grandcliildreii, 

That gather romid my knee, 
Xe'er see worse men nor iller times 

Than I and mine might he, 
Thougli England then had prize-fighters, — 

Even reprobates like me." 



XIII. 

A LESSON EVEN IN A FIGHT 

Then again, there was an object-lesson for 
England, outweighing even the brutality of a 
bare-handed fight, in the fortitude and reserved 
power of Tom King when he defeated Mace for 
the English championship m 1862. 

Mace, a gypsy l)y race, was a middle-sized 
man, one hundred and fifty-lour pounds weight; 
but he was the most famous boxer in the Avorld, 
and he deserved his fame. No man ever used 
both hands more evenly, or more effectively, in 
straight body-l)lows, — the best blows for a small 
man to use on a big one, if he know how to 
escape a counter on the head. King was six feet 
two and one quarter inches in height, and trained 
down to one hundred and eighty pounds weight. 
But Mace had won his fame with victories over 
giants. He had defeated Kinsr himself in the 



C^ij ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPOUT. 

early piirt of the same year, after a tremendous 
battle of forty-three rounds. lie had beaten in 
five rounds, without receiving a l)k)\v, the gigan- 
tic Lancashire wrestler and boxer, Hurst, known 
as *' the Staleybridge Infant." So when Mace 




CLIXCH. 



and Kin<r met in the winter of 1802, for a second 
fight for the championship, the betting was seven 
to four on Mace. 

And the course of the fight justified the odds 
for a long time. AVith extreme caution both men 
fought ; but, from the moment '' time " was called, 
the champion Mace had the best of it. For ten 
rounds this was obviously so ; for fifteen and no 



A LESSON EVEN IN A FIGHT. 



67 



change ; at the nineteenth King's friends knew he 
was beaten. He was fearfully punished about the 




GOOD POSITION OF GUAKD. 



head ; his face was so swelled he could not see. 
He had to grope for his man. But he came up 



fi8 KTIIICS OF BOXING AND >IANLY SPORT. 

do<r£redly to receive the smashing tist of the cham- 
pion. Xo one wonld take the freely offered odds 
of thirty to five against King; ten to one was 
called and no takers. Then the crowd shouted to 
Mace to '* finish him ! " And Mace, smilingly and 
confidently, prepared. The l)lind man came stag- 
gering toward him with the same awful courage 
and determination which had upheld him so long ; 
and Mace threw out his left preparatory to giving 
him the couj) cle grace with his right. But at that 
moment King stiffened like a man of cast-steel. 
His time had come. He got within distance, and 
his right hand shot out like a flash of lightning, 
cross-countering Mace with appalling directness 

and force. 

It was the blow he had waited for and sparred 
for under all the terrible punishment. It was 
worth all the blows of the fight massed into one. 
Mace fell as if he had been struck with a mallet, 
bleeding from mouth, eyes, and nose. He lay 
like a log for some seconds. " The champion is 
l)eaten I " was the astonished cry. But no, he 
struL'gled up again, reeled toward King, and 
was easily struck again to the earth. Once more 
the shattered champion staggered toward the 
blind conqueror, who, in pity, would not strike 
him, but gently pushed him into his corner, and 
the fiirht was won. 



A LESSON EVEN IN A FIGHT. 69 

AVas there no value in this lesson for English- 
men ? 

They learned here that beating and bruising 
and even blindino: a man, do not defeat him, if 
his heart be true and strona'. 

Under every contest, whether of men or game 
animals, this is the fascinating secret, this is the 
line to look for, — this unbroken golden thread of 
l)luck, of manh^ fortitude, of secret, heart-whis- 
})ering confidence. 

We must regret and deplore the bruises and 
the scars and the blood ; but they are the price 
of a precious and beautiful thing, — the sight of 
manly qualities under the severest strain. 

Where else in one compressed hour can be 
witnessed .the supreme test and tension of such 
precious living qualities as courage, temper, en- 
durance, bodily strength, clear-mindedness in 
excited action, and, above all, that heroic spirit 
that puts aside the cloak of defeat though it fall 
anew a hundred and a thousand times, and in the 
end reaches out and grasps the silvered mantle of 
success ? 

This is not meant to encourao'e prize-fight in 2:. 
Detestable and abhorrent is a brutal bare-handed 
fight, for the brutality is as unnecessary as it is 
repulsive ; l)ut you cannot have a prevalent manly 
exercise interesting to the majority of healthy 



70 KTHirS OF liOXING AND MANLY SrOKT. 

men, without h:iviim' professioiuil l)oxers ; nnd it 
may l)o said that the professional boxer who 
tiiihts an honest tiiiht, witli hiuh skill and courairo. 
and without the savagery of l)are hands ov cesttis, 
is not, thereby, a moral monster and an outrageous 
example. 

Shaw, the British Life-Guardsman, who slew ten 
Fi'eneh cuirassiers at Waterloo, was a professional 
boxer; and, undoubtedly, the training of stout 
heart, puissant arm, and confident eye, that en- 
abled him to do and die like a hero and a patriot, 
was due more to his pugilistic than his military 
profession. IIow many ]^ritisli hearts have 
remembered Shaw since then in a hand-to-hand 
tiiiht, and have been nerved to renewed enersrv 
by the thouirht? 

"Among the confusion presented by the fiercest 
and closest cavaby tight which had ever been 
seen," says Sir AValter Scott, writing of Waterloo, 
" many individuals distinguished themselves by 
feats of personal strenofth and valor. Anions: 
these should not be forgotten Shaw, a corporal of 
the Life Guards, (reJl Aiwirn cfs a pu(/Uistic cjiarn- 
pion, and ecjually formidable as a swordsman. 
He is supi)osed to have slain, or disabled, ten 
Frenchmen with his own hand before he was 
killed ])y a musket or pistol shot." 

Poor Shaw ! When he died at AVaterloo, he 



A LESSON EVEN IN A FIGHT. 71 

had a challenge standing in England to fight any 
man in the world with his hands. 

What was the lesson taught l)y that heroic 
Russian sailor, who, commjinding only a poor 
little merchant steamer, captured a colossal 
Turkish iron-clad after a desperate fight on the 
Black Sea, in 1877? 

This was one of the most s^lorious feats of war 
ever recorded; and it illustrated the same uncon- 
querable and hopeful spirit that is often seen even 
in prize-fights. The story, in this relation, is worth 
telling. The Turkish iron-clad was of enor- 
mous power in guns, armor, and engines ; she 
moved through the sea at the terl'i])le speed of 
thirty miles an hour. The Russian merchantman, 
the Vesta, was a light iron steamer, carrying 
three six-inch mortars and one nine-pound rifle 
cannon. Her utmost speed was a])out twelve 
miles an hour. Yet these two ships, so unequal 
in everything else, were not only equalized, but 
the weak became the strong when the hearts of 
the crew were brous^ht to the test of fire. Never 
was there a nobler showins: of what fearful odds 
courao'eous men can face and overcome. 

At eight o'clock in the morning of a beautiful 
day in June, the Russian captain saw the inmiense 
ram sweeping down on him. He put liis little 
steamer to her full speed ; but the ram closed on 



< .: 



1 KTIIICS OF liOXI\(J AM) MANLY Sl'OlJT. 



liim with frii>litfiil ra))i(litv. The officers of the 
small steamer were Russian artillerymen, for the 
shi}) had lately been i)ressed into the regular 
service. The iruns were in charire of Lieut. -Col. 
Tchernotf, who pointed them himself. A rattling- 
fire was kept up against the iron-ch\d ; but the 
Turk canu; on, as if determined to drive his spur 
into the side of the steamer. On seeing this, 
the ca})tain of the Vesta veered oti', upon which 
the Turk poured a hideous volley of shrapnel 
over liis decks. One bomb set the steamer on 
fire near the powder magazine ; this was at once 
extinijfuished. Another d(duired the deck with 
])l{)od, lacerathiij: the neck and shouhler of one of 
the two orticers at the auns, and mortallv wound- 
ing the heroic Tchernoff, who had time only to 
turn to the crew with these words : "Farewell! 
Wvv from the right-hand stern gun ; it is pointed ! " 
and fell dead. 1'here were torpedoes on board 
the steamer, and, at this time, Lieut. ]\Iichacl 
Perelchine iisked permission of the captain for 
himself and another lieutenant to Luincli the 
sloop, and attack the enemy with the mines. The 
captain was about to. grant th(^ request, when he 
saw that the sea was too boisterous for the success 
of so perilous an adventure. The l)rave lieutenant 
turned from him disappointed, and at that mo- 
ment was struck by a bomb, which tore away his 



A LESSON EVEX IX A FIGHT. 



73 



leg to the hip. " In this condition," writes Capt. 
Bai'onoft', " he still endeavored to speak to me 
ai)out the use to l)e made of the steam sloops." 
Still the fight went on. The lieutenant who was 
pointing the guns of the steamer received seven- 
teen wounds in a few minutes. Everv man and 
bov in the ship stared grim death in the face, and 
never dreamt of o-ivimr in. But it nmst soon 




STKAKillT COUNTER. 

(Instantaneous Photogi'a])h.) 

end : the heavy projectiles of the iron-clad were 
literally knocking the steamer to pieces ; ])ut just 
at this moment the artillery officer oot a oood 
sight, burst in the porthole of the enemy's largest 
gun, and lodged a bomb in her chimnev. Another 



74 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

bonil) must have set fire to the iron-clad, for a 
dense smoke arose. " A terrible confusion en- 
sued on his deck ; he drew out of the fight," 
turned tail, and steamed oflT at a tremendous rate. 
The Russian captain, with his little steamer shat- 
tered and torn, his ofiicers dead or wounded, and 
his deck streaminir with the blood of his brave 
crew, tried to keep up chase ; but his rudder had 
been injured in the tiirht and soon became useless. 
The lesson of this battle is that there is hardly 
anv emero:ency in Avhich a connnander should 
yield without a fi<rht. If this brave captain had 
stopped to calculate c-hances, he would have struck 
his flag without firing a gun. His calculations 
would have l)een a mistake, as such calculations 
almost always are. lie might count the guns of 
his enemy, and estimate the speed of the ram, 
and the miml)er of the crew, and still leave out 
the principal consideration, — the [)luck of the 
hearts. Guns will not fire straight without steady 
aim, and strong l)ulwarks may be a shield for 
cowardly hearts. 

Readiness to fight doubles the strength. All 
contests are worth watchinir for the sight of 
these golden lines. 



I 



CHAKACTERISTICS OF GREAT BOXERS. i i) 



n 



XIY. 

CHARACTERISTICS OF GREAT BOXERS. 

There never was, in the whole history of the 
art, a more remarkal)le or interesting ])oxer than 
Sullivan. ^lany people believe that his master- 
ful quality lies in his vast physical strength. 
Nothino" could be farther from the truth. There 
are thousands of men in America physically much 
stronirer, — men who could lift a heavier weia'ht, 
pull a heavier load, and keep up the strain longer 
than he. 

The superiority of Sullivan lies in his extraor- 
dinary nervous force, and his altogether incom- 
parable skill as a l>oxer. His recent f^iihire to 
defeat a man with l)are hands, in three houi's, 
whom he had formerly overcome with ease in 
fifteen minutes with large gloves, means only that 
the conditions were unfair. Sullivan does not 
pretend to be a runner ; and this fight was more 
a race than a bout. 

The qualities of both Sullivan and Mitchell are 
thoroughly known. There is really no doubt in 
people's minds about their relative abilities. 
Mitchell is admittedly a most skilful l)oxer. But 
were the element of o-amblinir ruled out, there 

4M* 



7Ci ETHICS OF BOXINC AND MANLY SPORT. 

never would have been a question raised as to the 
enormous superiority of Sullivan. 

There are nianv better boxers than Mitchell in 
Anieriea, if not in Knii'land ; but there is not one 
who dare ehallenijfe Sullivan. Thev know that 
this runnin": iii>-ht in France has proved nothintr 
aii^ainst him. 

In what does his extraordinary skill consist? In 
hitting as straight and almost as rapidly as light ; 
in the variety and readiness of his blows ; in 
standinir iirndv on his feet and drivino^ his whole 
weight and nervous force at the end of his fist, — 
a very rare and a very high quality in a boxer ; in 
movements as (juick and purposeful as the leap of 
a lion. He can " duck" lower than any feather- 
weisfht ])oxer in America ; he can strike more 
heavy blows in ten seconds than anv other man 
in a minute, and he watches his opponent with a 
self-possession and calculation that do not flurry 
with excitement, but only flame into a ravening 
intensity to beat him down, to spring on him from 
a new direction, and strike him a new blow every 
tenth of a second, to rush, hannner, contemn, 
overmaster, overwhelm, and appall him. 

Look at " The Boxer" as he leaps on the stage 
and stands gazing at his opponent, waiting for 
the referee to call '' time." That is the quivering 
moment seized l)y the great sculptor whose statue, 



i 



Sullivan's supekiokity as a boxer. 77 

recently completed in Boston, is pictured in the 
frontispiece of this book. 

Look at the statue ; that is Sullivan, life, body, 
and spirit. See the tremendous chest, filled with 
capacious lungs and a mighty heart, capable of 
pumping blood everywhere at once. See the 
marvellous trunk and the herculean arms, not 
twisted and hardened into foolish lumps of dry i 

muscle, but soft and lissome as the leo^ of a tio'er. 
See the ponderous fist and the massive wrist ; and 
the leo^s and feet — ah! there vou see the limbs 
of a perfect boxer — light as a dancer, firm as a 
tower. And then, look up to the buttressed, 
Samson neck, springing beautifully from the 
great shouldei's ; look at the head — large, round 
as a Greek's, broad-browed, wide-chinned, with 
a deep dimple, showing the good-nature, and a 
mouth and lips that ought be cut in granite, so 
fidl are they of doomful power and pur})ose. 

And what an attitude ! The advanced left foot 
hardly pressing the ground, the bones and mus- 
cles of the rioht le<>* straio'ht and stroma as a 
pillar. A position of repose, but the repose of 
the coiled steel spring. See the will and watch- 
fulness of the pushed lower lip and level eye, and 
the sli«:ht forward inclination of the head. Above 
all, watch the arms, that appear to hang loosely 
at first sight. There is not a loose cord in them ; 



78 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

they don't hang, they are carefully held a little 
out from the sides ; and mark the slight, but 
vastly significant, rounding of the wrist — out- 
ward, not inward — the legible and pregnant mark 
of "The Boxer." 

This expressive holding the clenched hand, with 
the wrist rounded outward, has not been produced 
in art before, certainly not l)y any modern artist. 
But it is the very sign and symbolization of the 
modern boxer. It is, in a special way, the im- 
print of Sullivan. It tells the genius of the 
sculptor and the instinct of the athlete. In that 
premonitory wrist and fist we see the very natal 
spring of the round blow. lie has but to throw 
up his elbow slightly, and hand, arm, shoulder, 
and right leg are ready, and the champion's round 
blow flies like a thunderbolt. 

There is no need to say that this is a wonderful 
statue — a work of art that will become famous 
everywhere, that will attract as much attention 
next year in the Paris Salon as this year when 
exhibited in Boston. It tells its own greatness 
to every beholder. Subject and artist came at 
the riirht moment ; and America is enriched with 
a work of art that would have won a crown in 
Periclesian Athens. 

Sullivan enters on a fight unlike all other men. 
From the first movement his action is ultimate. 



Sullivan's surEiiioiiiTY as a boxer. 79 

Other boxers ])egm by sparring ; he begins by 
lio:htin2: — and he never ceases to fio'ht. He is as 
distinct from other boxers as a bull dos: is from a 
spaniel. He is a fighting man. Every other 
American boxer, and from report, every English 
boxer, is of the sparring kind. Kiirain is a 
superb pugilist — strong, skilful, good-tempered, 
and a hard Jiitter. He is the safest boxer living, 
and next to Sullivan easily the best pugilist in 
the world. But Kiirain is not a natural iiirhter — 
he is too «:entle. He waits to see what his oppo- 
nent is o'oinii' to do. It takes five or six rounds 
to Cfet his heart at full beat and his nervous reser- 
voir opened. 

But from the first instant of the fight, Sullivan 
is as fierce, relentless, tireless as a cataract. The 
fight is wdioll}^ to go in his w^ay — not at all in 
the other man's. His opponent wants to spar ; 
he leaps on him with a straight blow. He wants 
to ])reathe ; he dashes him into the corner with a 
drive in the stomach. He does not waste ten 
seconds of the three minutes of each round. 

And look at the odds he offers — and offers to 
all the w^Drld ! Thev are not ten to one, nor 
twenty to one, but nearer to one hundred to one. 
Observe, he will not only defeat all-comers, but 
he will defeat them in four rounds — in twelve 
minutes! And this is not all — he will defeat 
them w^ith his hands muffled in laro:e o'loves. 



80 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SIOHT. 

Consider the odds here : he throws away for 
himself all the chances of a long light, and he 
otters to his opponents all the chances of endur- 
inij even his opposition for a short one. Mace 
defeated King only after forty-three rounds, and 
Brettle after forty rounds. Heenan fought Say- 
ers thirty-seven rounds, to what the Englishmen 
called a draw. Savers beat Paddock in twentv- 
one rounds. He fought Aaron Jones sixty-two 
rounds to a draw, and only defeated him after 
eighty-tive rounds more ; while the tight of 
Savers with Poulson consumed three hours and 
eight minutes, in which one hundred and nine 
rounds were foui2:ht.* 

* Longest bare-knuckled battle on record — six hours, fifteen 
minutes. James Kelly anl Jonathan Smith, near Melbourne, 
Australia, Xovember, ISoo. 

Longest bare-knuckle battle in England — six hours, three 
minutes, Mike Madden and Bill Hayes, Edenbridge. July IT, 
1849. 

Longest bare-knuckle battle in America — four hours, 
twenty minutes, J. Fitzpatrick and James O'Xeil, Berwick, 
Maine, Dec. 4, 18G0. 

Longest glove fight — five hom-s. three minutes, forty-five 
seconds; seventy-six rounds, Wm. Sheriff and J. Welch, Phila- 
delphia, Penn., April 10. 18S4. 

Largest stake fought for in America — $10,000, Tom Hyer 
and Yankee Sullivan. Kock Point. Md.. Feb. 7. 1840. 

Largest stake fought for in England — £2,000, Tom King 
and .John C. Heenan, Wadhurst, England. Dec. 10, 18C3. 

First ring fight in America — Jacob Hyer and Thomas 
Beasley, in 1816. 



SULLIVAN S SUPERIORITY AS A BOXER. 



81 



If Sayers could not knock out Poulson in one 
hundred and eisfht rounds, with bare hands, what 
effect would he have had on him in four rounds 
with laro-e soft-sfloves ? 




CROSS-COO'TER. 



As Savers, with bare hands, was to Poulson 
(an inferior man) in one hundred and nine rounds, 
so is Sullivan, with lar^e gloves, to the best man 
in the world in four rounds. That is the sum in 
proportion. 



82 KTIIICS OF BOXINd AM) MANLY SPORT. 

To show the progress in boxing ]>etween 
Brouixhton's day and ours, the reader is referred 
to the Appendix for the best code of rules to 
crovern glove contests that has ever been drawn 
up. They are the product of a Boston man, Mr. 
David Blanchard. 



XV. 

BOXlXa COMPARED AVITII OTHER EXERCISES. 

rRiZE-FiGiiTixG is not the aim of boxing. This 
noble exercise ought not to be judged by the 
dishonesty or the low lives of too many of its 
professional followers. Let it stand alone, an 
athletic practice, on the same footing as boating 

or foot-ball. 

Putting prize-fighting altogether aside as one 
of the unavoidable evils attending on this manly 
exercise, the inestimable value of boxing as a 
training, discipline, and development of boys and 
young men remains. 

All other athletic exercises, with one exception, 
arc limited or partial in their physical develop- 
ment. That exception is swimming. Swimming 
takes the whole nmscular system into play, uni- 
formly and powerfully. Lungs, heart, trunk, and 



BOXING COMPARED WITH OTHER EXERCISES. 83 

limbs, all but the eyes, have to do their full share 
of the work. 

Boxinir leaves out nothinjx ; it exercises the 
whole luan at once and equally — the trunk, the 
limbs, the eyes — and the mmd. 

Swimmina' is, more than anv other phvsical 
exercise, a reversal to the prmiitive. The 
swimmer has no thoughts — only perceptions. 
He sees, in a vague way, the trees on the shore, 
the clouds, the ripple on the wave within thirty 




DLXKING" A LEAD WITH THE LEFT. 

(Instantaneous riiotograpli.) 



inches of his lips, and he feels the embracing 
water in a manner that diffuses thouirht or sen- 
sitiveness all over his body, taking it away from 
the brain. Xo swimmer thinks — he merely takes 
care. He is in a condition of animalism. The 



84 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

intellectuiilitv of the swimmer is relaxed, or 
}):irtly suspended. 

But the boxer, in action, has not a loose muscle 
or a sleepy brain cell. His mind is quicker and 
more watchful than a chess-player's. He has to 
gather his impulses and hurl them, straight and 
purposeful, with every moment and motion. It 
is not the big, evenly-disposed opposition of nature 
he has to overcome, like the swimmer or the 
runner, but the keen and precise cunning of an 
excited brain, that is watching him with eyes as 
briii^ht as a hawk's. 

There is no emulation or controversy so hot, 
so vital, so dcliciously interesting, as the boxer's. 
The ecstacy of the sinirle-stick is rude and brief; 
the wrestler's tug is comparatively slow and labo- 
rious ; even the lun^re of the foil is cold, slin^ht, and 
vaij^ue, beside the life-touchino: kiss of the hot 
glove on neck, arm, or shoulder. 

The nearer you come to nature, wdien you are 
not fighting nature, the deeper the enjoyment, 
whether of living, loving, exercising, playing, or 
fi^htinij. 

The elements of character which boximr, better 
than all other exercises, develops, are fairness ot 
personal judgment and an acceptance of give-and- 
take. 

The boxer must take as well as give. It is 



BOXIXG COMPARED WITH OTHER EXERCISES. 85 

only the Inillv and the coward who want to qive 
all the time, and escape fciL'inj ; and if boxing 
were tauirht in every American school, as it ouaht 
to be, there would be fewer bullies and cowards 
sent out unpunished and uncorrected, 

A few years airo. in Xew Enirland, a youns: 
man who was fond of rowina* or ridinsf, or any 
other vigorous sport, was considered to be on the 
high road to ruin. It was not respectable even to 
Avhistle ; and the cheerful whistler is a lost artist 
in Xew Enirland. 

This is chanired completely. In the o^reatest 
school in America, Harvard, there is probably the 
most perfect gymnasium in the world ; and the 
annual ijames at all the universities and hio'her 
schools of America, Avhere the mothers and sisters 
of the best-bred boys in the country are present 
in thousands, are not unworthy modern represen- 
tations of the national oames of Greece. 

Gymnasiums are irrowino^ common in Xew 
England in connection with schools — their proper 
relation. It is beginning to be realized that, 
under our confined and artificial city life, the 
bodies of boys and Sfirls need as much and as 
careful traininir and cultivation as their minds. 
*'A sound mind in a sound body" promises to 
become an American, as it v\'as a Roman, proverb. 
To cultivate the mind at the expense of the body 



SC) ETHICS OF BOXING AXI> MANLV SPOKT. 

is to put a premium on immorality, rascality, and 
craziness. 

There never was a race so fond of athletics as 
the American is iroinir to be — as it is alreadv — 
at least, not since the Olympiads. The best of 
the English lield-sports are coniined to the aris- 
tocracy. There never was a race with so many 
and so various athletes as the American. Our 
games are not •' sacred" like the Greeks", nor are 
they national, or periodical, or belonging to a class 
— except our fox-hunting in scarlet and top-boots. 
AVe do not concentrate our athletic efforts into 
four days every four or five years like the Greeks. 
Our Olympiads begin every May and last till 
November, and take in every l)0v and man who 
has warm ])lood in his veins. 

The Greeks had runners, wrestlers, boxers, 
charioteers, quoit-throwers, bull-tamers ; the Ivo- 
mans had boxers, wrestlers, and swordsmen. AVe 
have more than all these. Base-ball alone in 
America makes more athletes yearly than the 
whole curriculum of Elis. The youths who 
''break the records" for running, leaping, row- 
iniz, and foot-ball in American colleires would 
take all the laurel and parsley crowns at Isthmia 
and Corinth. For every Greek chariot driyer we 
haye a thou: and American yachtsmen. Greece 
and Rome will be nowhere in athletics in com])ari- 



4 



BOXING COMPARED WITH OTHER EXERCISES. 87 

son with Xew England alone, twcntv-live years 
hence, if the wave of popuhir interest in field and 
water and gynmasiuni sports, which is now rapidly 
rising, is allowed to proceed unchecked. 

It is no lono-er resfarded as deplorable for a 
youth to aspire to l)e an athlete. The whole 
country hanirs in suspense over a college race or 
fo()t-])all game. Above all, we are in a fair wa}' 
to rescue boxina* from the boxers, and to restore 
to its proper place in the training of youth the 
exercise that leads all others in fittino* them to be 
fair-minded, confident, courageous, peaceful and 
patriotic citizens. 



I 



I 



SS ETHICS or boxing and manly sport. 



APPENDIX. 



THE ILLUSTRATIOXS. 

The illustrations used in this article are made from instan- 
taneous photographs of two famous boxers. This is the first 
time the instantaneous j^hotograph has been used to record the 
movements of boxers in excited action; and the residt, it will 
be admitted, is interesting and satisfactory^ 

Mr. John Donoghue, the sculptor of the great statue of 
" The Boxer,'' for which Sullivan stood as his model all 
through the past Summer, has kindly allowed me to use, for 
the first time, the beautiful plate in the frontispiece. 

Among the illustrations are foiu* or five from excellent draw- 
ings, made for " Outing," from two of the best boxers in 
America, which have been copied by the kind permission of 
the editor of "Outing." These plates are "A Good Position 
of Guard," "Set-To," "A Cross-Coimter,"" An Old-Fash- 
ioned Upper-Cut,*' and "A Cross-Buttock,"' the latter a won- 
derfully good picture. 

The process of taking the instantaneous photographs of the 
boxers for this article was verv interesting. The lessons the 
pictures give, even to professional boxers, will not be thrown 
away. For instance, take the illustration, " Cross-Countered," 
(page Gl), where the man leading has raised his right foot in the 
air: it is obvious that such a blow coidd have little strength, 
and that the cross-blow of Ills opponent, whose right toe is 
finnly grounded, must stagger him, at least. The careful boxer 
whose leg is raised would never believe that this was his 
position; but the camera cannot lie. 

And what a perfect illustration is the first plate, — " Ducking 
the Round Blow." (page 10), which never could be secured except 
by the instantaneous process. Except in the sudden bend of an 



APPENDIX. 89 

excited moment, a mau coiild not assume sucli a singular, and 
yet graceful and powerful position. A less cool or skilful boxer 
than this (he is the light-weight champion of England) would 
lose his power of recovery in making such an escape as this ; 
but observe, hands, feet, and body are so held that, as soon as 
tlie sweeping fist has passed overhead, he can straighten him- 
self where he stands, and get in a powerful right-hander. 

Another illustration of extraordinary vigor is "The Upper- 
Cut, as Sullivan Strikes It*' (page 02). Here the camera has 
captured an upper-cut at its very birth. There is no short- 
armed fibbing about this blow. It springs, not from the elbow, 
but from the feet; and, if i!: reaches its object in earnest, it is 
frequently the end of a fight. 



RULES OF THE EIXG. 

There have been, in England, three notable codes, or " Eules 
of the Ring."' for the ordering of pugilistic contests. The first 
were known as " Broughton's Rules " (they are given in full at 
page 4.i). They governed all prize-fights in England for nearly 
a Century, till the adoption of the code known commonly as 
"The London Prizc-Ring Rules." 

The later and better English rules are those known as " The 
Marquis of Queensberry Rules," which provide for regular 
rounds of three minutes instead of the former system of ending 
a round when one of the contestants came to the ground. The 
" London Ring Rules " are still followed in England; but never, 
it may be depended on, when the contest is intended to be fair 
and above-board. They seem to have been framed to enable 
the worst man to wiii, by permitting all kinds of cowardly tricks 
and evasions. Whenever his manlier opponent is in danger of 
getting an advantage, the schemer can clinch, and imnie.liately 
slip to the ground. 

By the "Queensberry Rules," each round lasts three fidl 
minutes, with a minute between for rest. If a man is knocked 
down during the round, he is allowed ten seconds to get up, 
unassisted, and return to the contest. Should he be imable to 



DO ETHICS OF BOXING AXI) MANLY SPORT. 

rise when " time " is called at the end of the ten seconds, he 
has lost the fi'jrht. 

But the hest "rules of the ring" ever devised are those lately 
drawn up hy Mr. David U. Blanchard, of Boston, called " The 
American Fair-Play Bules." So far as can he seen, they cover 
every point, and provide for a fair and manly pugilistic con- 
test, without hrutality. Every future American hoxing contest 
ouglit to be controlled by these "American Ilules." 

All other rules liaA'e failed to stop the vile clinching which 
often makes a boxing contest a mere wrestling match, during 
which the referee has nothing to do but shout, " Break! " But 
here it is provided that the boxers themselves shall stop the 
clinching, not the referee. Eule 5 says: "If a contestant 
should resort to clinching, hi 5 opponent may continue hitting 
as long as he does not clinch himself." 

This settles the clincher, who stops his own fighting, but 
allows his opponent to go on in- fighting. If referees will 
observe this rule, and decline to cry "break" when the clinch 
is not mutual, there will soon be an end of clinchers and 
clinching. 

Mr. Blanchard deserves much credit for the careful attention 
he has bestowed on this excellent code of rules, which at once 
bars out cruelty, brutality, and cowardice (his ring is only 
twenty feet square; large enough for a fight, but not for a race- 
course), and ensures as fair a glove contest as possible. 



LONDOX PKIZE-JIIXG RULES, AS JIEVISED BY THE BRTTISIT 

PUGILISTIC ASSOCIATIOX. 

It having been found that many of the Rules of the Ring 
are insufficient to provide for the various contingencies which 
continually arise in prize battles, an entire revision has been 
determined on, and a committee of gentlemen, members of the 
Pugilistic Association, undertook the task. AVhen the revision 
was complete, tlu^ laws wei-e submitted to a general meeting of 
thi^ momb(>rs of the Prize Pting (being members of the Associa- 
tion), and unanimously agreed to: — 



APPENDIX. 91 

1. Tliat the ring shall be made on tui-f, and shall be four- 
aud-twenty feet square, formed of eight stakes and ropes, the 
latter extending in double lines, the uppermost line being foiu* 
feet from the ground, and the lower two feet from the groimd. 
That in the centre of the ring a mark be formed, to be termed 
"the scratch"; and that at two opposite corners, as may be 
selected, spaces be enclosed by other marks sufficiently large 
for the reception of the seconds and bottle-holders, to be en- 
titled "'the comers." 

2. That each man shall be attended to the ring by a second 
and a bottle-hoLler, the former provided with a sponge, and the 
latter with a bottle of water. That the combatants, on shak- 
ing hands, shall retire until the seconds of each have tossed for 
choice of position, which adjusted, the winner shall choose liis 
comer according to the state of the wind or sim, and conduct 
his man thereto; the loser taking the opposite corner. 

o. That each man shall be provided with a handkerchief 
of a color suitable to his o^vn fancy, and that the seconds pro- 
ceed to entwine these handkerchiefs at the uj)per end of one of 
the centre stakes. That these handkerchiefs shall be called 
the •' colors "; and tliat the Avinner of the battle at its conclusion 
shall be entitled to their possession as the trophy of victory. 

4. That two mnpires shall be chosen by the seconds or 
backers to watch the progress of the battle, and take exception 
to any breach of the rules hereafter stated. That a referee 
shall be chosen by the umpires, imless otherwise agreed on, to 
whom all disputes shall be referred; and that the decision of 
tliis referee, whatever it may be, shall be final and strictly 
binding on al! i>ai1;ies, whether as to the matter in dispute or 
the issue of the battle. That the umpires shall be provided 
with a watch for the purj^ose of calling time; and that they 
mutually agree upon whom tliis duty shall devolve, the call of 
that lunpire only to be attended to, and no other i)erson what- 
ever to interfere in calling time. That the referee shall with- 
hold all opinion till api)ealed to by the imipires, and that the 
umpires strictly abide by his decision without dispute. 

5. That on the men being stripped, it shall be the duty of 



92 KTIIirS OF BOXING AM) MANLY SPORT. 

the seconds to exaiuiiie tlieir drawers, and if any objection 
arise as to insertion of imx)ropcr substances therein, they shall 
appeal to their umpires, who, with the concurrence of the 
referee, shall direct what alterations shall be made. 

('). That in future no spikes be used in fighting boots except 
those authorized by the Pugilistic Association, which shall not 
exceed three-eighths of an inch from the sole of the boot, and 
shall not be less than one-eighth of an inch broad at the jjoint; 
and it shall be in the power of the referee to alter, or lile in any 
way he pleases, spikes which shall not accord with the above 
dimensions, even to filing them away altogether. 

7. That both men being ready, each man shall be con- 
ducted to that side of the scratch next his corner previously 
chosen; and the seconds on the one side, and the men on the 
other, having shaken hando, the former shall immediately 
return to their corners, and there remain within the prescribed 
marks till the roimd be finished, on no pretence whatever ap- 
proaching their principals during the round, under a penalty of 
five shillings for each offence, at the option of the referee. The 
penalty, which Mill be strictly enforced, to go to the funds of 
the Association. The principal to be responsible for every fine 
inflicted on his second. 

8. That at the conclusion of the round, when one or both 
of the men shall be down, the seconds and bottle-hollers shall 
step forward, and carry or conduct their principal to his corner, 
there affording him the necessary assistance, and that no per- 
son whatever be permitted to interfere in this duty. 

0. That on the expiration of thirty seconds, the umpire 
appointed shall cry "Time," upon which each man shall rise 
from the knee of his bottle-holder, and walk to his own side 
of the scratch unaided; the seconds and bottle-holders remain- 
ing at their corner; and that either man failing so to be at the 
scratch within eight seconds, shall be deemed to have lost the 
battle. This rule to be strictly adhered to. 

10. That on no consideration whatever shall any person be 
permitted to enter the ring during the battle, nor till it shall 
have been concluded; and that in the event of such unfair 



API'E>D1X. 93 

practice, or the ropes or stakes being disturbed or removed, it 
sliall be ill the power of the referee to award the victory to that 
man who, in his honest ojiinion, shall have the best of the 
contest. 

11. That the seconds and bottle-holders shall not interfere, 
advise, or direct the adversary of their principal, and shall 
refrain from all offensive and irritating expressions, in all 
respects conducting themselves with order and decorum, and 
confine themselves to the diligent and careful discharge of their 
duties to their principals. 

12. That in picking up their men, should the seconds or 
bottle-holders wilfully injure the antagonist of their principal, 
the latter shall be deemed to have forfeited the battle on the 
decision of the referee. 

13. That it shall be a fair "stand-up fight," and if either 
man shall wilfully throw himself down without receiving a 
blow, whether hloics shall hate prexioushj been exchanged or 
not, he shall be deemed to have lost the battle; but that this 
rule shall not apply to a man who in a close slips down from 
the grasp of his opponent to avoid punishment, or from obvious 
accident or weakness. 

14. That butting with the head shall be deemed foul, and the 
party resorting to this practice shall be deemed to have lost 
the battle. 

15. That a blow struck when a man is thrown or down, shall 
be deemed foid. That a man with one knee and one hand on 
the ground, or with both knees on the ground, shall be deemed 
down ; and a blow given in either of those positions shall be 
considered foul, providing always that, when in such position, 
the man so down shall not himself strike or attempt to strike. 

16. That a blow struck below the waistband shall be deemed 
foul, and that in a close seizing an antagonist below the waist, 
by the thigh, or otherwise, shall be deemed foul. 

IT. That all attempts to inflict injury by gouging, or tearing 
the flesh with the fingers or nails, and biting, shall be deemed 
foul. 

18. That kicking or deliberately falling on an antagonist with 
the knees or othei*wise when doA^Ti, shall be deemed foul. 



94 ETHICS OF BOXIXG AND MANLY SrOUT. 

1!>. That all bets shall be paid as the battle -money, after a 
fight, is awarded. 

20. That no person, under any pretence whatever, shall be 
permitted to approach nearer the ring than ten feet, with the 
exception of the umpires and referee, and the persons appointed 
to take charge of the water or oth^r refreshment for the com- 
batants, who shall take their seats close to the corners selected 
by the seconds. 

■2\. That due notice shall be given by the stakeholder of the 
day and place where the battle-money is to be given up, and 
that he be exonerated from all responsibility upon obeying the 
direction of the referee; that all parties be strictly bound by 
these rules; and that in future all articles of agreement for a 
contest be entered into Avith a strict and willing adherence to 
the letter and spirit of these rules. 

22. That in the event of magisterial or other interference, or 
in case of darkness coming on, the referee shall have the power 
to name the time and place for the next meeting, if possible on 
the same day, or as soon after as may be. 

23. That, should the fight not be decided on the day, all bets 
shall be drawn, unless the fight shall be resumed the same 
week, between Sunday and Sunday; in which case the bets 
shall stand and be decided by the event. The battle-money 
shall remahi ii? the hands of the stakeholder until fairly won or 
lost by a light, unless a draw be mutually agreed upon. 

24. That any pugilist voluntarily quittiug the ring previous 
to the deliberate judgment of the referee being obtained, shall 
be deemed to have lost the fight. 

25. That on an objection being made by the seconds or um- 
pire, the men shall retire to their corners, and there remain 
until the decision of the appointed authorities shall be obtained; 
that if pronounced " foul," the battle shall be at an end; but if 
'' fair," '• time " shall be called by the party appointed, and the 
man absent from the scratch in eight seconds after shall be 
deemed to have lost the fight. The decision in all cases to be 
given promptly and irrevocably, for which purpose the umpires 
and the referee should be invariably close together. 



APPENDIX. 95 

2G. That if in a rally at the ropes a man steps outside the 
ring to avoid his antagonist, or to escape punishment, he shall 
forfeit the hattle. 

27. That the use of hard substances, such as stone, or stick, 
or of resin, in the hand during the battle shall be deemed foul, 
and that on the requisition of the seconds of either man, the 
accused shall open his hands for the examination of the referee. 

28. That hugging on the ropes shall be deemed foul. That a 
man held by the neck against the stakes, or upon or against 
the ropes, shall be considered down, and all interference with 
him in that position shall be foul. That if a man in any way 
makes use of the ropes or stakes to aid him in squeezing his 
adversary, he shall be deemed the loser of the battle ; and that 
if a man in a close reaches the ground with his knees, his ad- 
versaiy shall immediately loose him or lose the battle. 

20. That all stage fights be as nearly as i^ossible in conformity 
with the foregoing rules. 



MAEQUIS OF QUEENSBEURY RULES GOA^EEjSTHSTG CONTESTS 

FOR ENDURANCE. 

1. To be a fair stand-up boxing matcli, in a twenty-four foot 
ring, or as near that size as practicable. 

2. No wrestling or hugging allowed. 

o. The rounds to be of three minutes' duration, and one 
minute time between rounds. 

4. If either man fall, through weakness or otherwise, he 
nmst get up unassisted ; ten seconds to be allowed him to do 
so, the other man meanwhile to retiurn to his corner, and when 
the fallen man is on his legs the round is to be resumed and 
continued until the three minutes have expired. If one man 
fails to come to the scratch in the ten seconds allowed, it shall 
be in the power of the referee to give his award in favor of the 
other man. 



5. xi man hanging on the ropes in a liolpless state, with I 

liis toes off the ground, shall be considered down, 1 



06 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

0. No seconds or any other person to be allowed in the 
ring during the rounds. 

7. Should the contest be stopped by any imavoidable inter- 
ference, the referee to name time and place, as soon as iwssible, 
for finishing the contest ; so that the match must be won and 
lost, imless the backers of both men agree to draw the stakes. 

8. The gloves to be fair-sized boxing gloves of the best 
quality, and new. 

9. Should a glove burst, or come off, it must be replaced to 
the referee's satisfaction. 

10. A man on one knee is considered down, and if struck 
is entitled to the stakes. 

11. Xo shoes or boots with sprigs allowed. * 

12. The contest in all other respects to be governed by the 
the revised rules of the London Prize-ring. 



AMERICAN FAIR-PLAY Rl LES TO GOVERN GLOVE CONTESTS. 

1. An honest and competent referee must be chosen, who 
should be familiar with the rules. His ordei-s must be promptly 
obeyed, and his decisions in all cases shall be final. 

2. A responsible time-keeper must be appointed, who shall 
take his i)osition near the ropes, and should be provided 
with a proper time watch. The referee, also, may have the 
privilege of keeping time, for his o^\ti satisfaction, particularly 
in reference to the twelve seconds after a fall. 

3. All contests should take place in a roped square en- 
closure, twenty foot square, or as near that as possible, with 
eight posts, which should be padded on the inside. Three 
ropes, of one inch diameter, should be used, the top one to be 
fom* feet from the floor, or ground, and the others at equal 
distance below it, or sixteen inches apart. There should be a 
circle, three feet in diameter, drawn in the middle of the en- 
closure, to be kno%\Ti as tlie centre, where contestants shall 
meet for the beginning of each round. 

4. Each principal may have two attendants, only one of 
whom shall be allowed within the enclosure. While the con- 



APPENDIX. 97 

test is in progress the attendants must take positions outside 
the ring, and neither advise nor sx^eak to either of the principals, 
except Avliile they are resting. A violation of this rule may be 
punished by the referee excluding the offender from serving as 
an attendant. Either attendant may quietly call the attention 
of the referee to any violation of the rules. "While resting, 
principals may use a light chair in their corners ; but it must be 
placed outside by the attendants while the contest is in progress. 

5. Xo wrestling, clinching, hugging, butting, or an}i:liing 
done to injure an opponent, except by fair and manly boxing, 
shall be allowed. If a contestant should resort to clinchiwj^ 
his opponent viay continue hitting, as long as he does not 
clinch, himself. A contestant shall not go to the floor to avoid 
his opponent, or to obtain rest, nor shall he strike his opponent 
when down, or on one or both knees, nor be allowed to strike 
below the belt or waist, i^o ill feeling should exist between 
contestants, and the custom of shaking hands, before and after 
the contests, should never be omitted. 

G. A round shall be of three (3) minutes' duration, Avith one 
minute, between rounds, for rest ; and the time occupied in 
verbal contention or discussion shall be noted by the time- 
keeper, and it shall not be included as part of a romid. In 
all matches, the number of rounds and weight of gloves slioidd 
be mutually agreed upon. It is suggested that the gloves should 
not weigh less than three ounces each. 

7. If a glove shall burst or come off, it must be replaced 
immediately, to the satisfaction of the referee. IS"o tampering 
with the gloves, by forcing the hair from the knuckles, or 
othenvise, shall be allowed. The costimie should be tights, 
with stockings and light shoes, and shirt, if desired. 

8. If either man is sent to the floor, or accidentally falls, he 
shall be allowed twelve seconds to rise and walk unassisted to 
the centre. In the meantime his opponent shall retire to his 
corner, and remain until the fallen man shall first reach the 
centre, when time shall be called and the round completed. 
If, however, the man fails to come to the centre within twelve 
seconds, the referee shall decide that he has lost the contest. 



98 ETHICS OF BOXING A2sD MA>'LY 6POKT. 

0. If a man is forced on to the ropes in such a manner as to 
he in a position where he is miahle to defend himself, it shall 
he the duty of the referee to order hoth men to the centre. 

10. If either principal hecomes so exhausted that it is ap- 
parently imprudent to continue, it shall he the duty of the 
referee to stop the contest, and give his decision in favor of 
the more deserving man. 

11. Spectators shoidd not be allowed within three (3) feet of 

the enclosure. 

12. If at any time during the contest it should become 
evident that the parties interested, or by-standers, are doing 
anything to injure or intimidate either principal, or to wilfully 
interfere in any way to prevent him from fairly winning, the 
referee shall have the power to declare the principal so inter- 
fered with, the winner. Or, if at any tima the ring is broken 
into to prevent the principals from finishing the contest, it 
shall then also be the duty of the referee to award the contest 
to the man who, at that time, has, in his opinion, the advan- 



tage 



13. If, on the day named for the meeting, anjihing unavoid- 
able should occur to prevent the contest from taking place, or 
from being finished, the referee shall name the time and place 
for the next meeting, which must be within three days from 
the day of postponement, proper notice of which shall be given 
to both parties. Either man failing to appear at the time and 
place appointed by the referee, shall be deemed to have lost 
the contest. 

14. If there is anjihing said or done to intimidate the 
referee, while sening, or if the referee has any other good and 
sutficient reasons why his decision shoidd not be immediately 
rendered, he shall have the right to reser^-e his decision, which, 
however, must be rendered within twenty-four hours after the 

contest. 

1.'). If the contest shoidd occur in a field, blunt hobbles, not 
over one-eighth of an inch in thickness or length, shall be used 
in place of spikes on the soles of the shoes, and must be placed 
so as to be harmless to an opponent. 



I 



APPENDIX. 99 

10. In order that exhibitions may be conducted in a quiet 
and orderly manner, the referee shoidd always request specta- 
toi*s to refrain from loud expressions or demonstrations, and 
any one guilty of such conduct, while a contest is in j)rogres3, 
shoidd be severely condemned. 

Suggestion to Refehee. — While, in the foregoing nde3, 
broad and unrestricted powers are reposed in the referee, in 
order that his authority may be unquestioned in preventing 
intentional violations of the rules and of fah' dealing, it is ex- 
I)ected that the referees v>ill use the greatest caution and wisest 
discretion in the exercise of their power, and in distinguishing 
accidental mistakes, on the part of the contestants or their Eur>- 
porters, from wilful violations of the spirit of these articles. 



THE TRAINING OF ATHLETES TESTED 
BY EVERY-DAY LIFE. 



I. 

IS TEAIXIXG IX.TUEIOUS? 

TiTE ti'ainino' of athletes must alwavs be a sub- 
ject of general interest. If there be an art by 
Avhicli men are made specially strong for some 
unusual period and purpose, how far can it be 
applied to the daily lives of average men ? Is the 
training: of an athlete a solid buildino: of streno-th, 
or is it even consistent with a lastins^ condition of 
vigorous health ? 

These questions must be considered from two 
very different standpoints, namely, from that of 
the professional athlete and that of the average 
person who wants to sfet into lastino: " srood 
condition." Throughout this article, even when 
treating of special training, the amateur and 
his modified needs are not forirotten. The in- 
formation intended for athleiies in traininsr for a 
contest, like their exercise and food, umst be 

(101) 



102 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

condensed and partieularized ; but it will ])e found 
to contain matter of connnon interest, needing 
only the cbaniie suitable to individual circuiu- 
stances. 

It is undoubtedly true tliat the mass of those 

ft. 

who liye in cities, and whose occupations inyolve 
little manual or physical exercise, allow their 
l)odies, at an early aire of manhood, to sink out 
of all trained and athletic strength and shapeli- 
ness. It is only necessary to visit a Turkish 
bath to tind abundant eyidence of the muscular 
collapse Avhich has overtaken the modern city- 
dweller : l)odies "developed" everywhere in the 
wrong direction ; arms like pipe-stems, while the 
beautiful nmscles of the shoulders and back are 
smothered in layers of vile fat, and spindle- 
thighs and straight calves weakly support l)ellies 
like Bacchus. 

When the observer beholds the superb condi- 
tion of trained oarsmen enterinir a race, or of 
boxers going to fight for a championship, he 
stands in admiration of the lirm and massive 
muscles, the light and elastic step, the strong 
wind, and the insensibility to blows that would 
produce concussion of the brain in a common 
man. Can the rules Ayliich produce these results 
be taken out of the training-school, and followed 
in common life, even with larij^e modilications ? 



IS TRAIXIXG IXTURIOUS? 



103 



The unhesitatiniT answer is — Xo. The train- 
ing of an athlete for a contest must continue 
to he essentiallv dillerent from the traininii: of a 
man for his everv-dav livinir- 

Furthermore, the trainimr of an athlete, vrith 
the siuirle view of enahlinij him to concentrate his 
entire muscular powers for a struggle lasting 
from ten minutes to two hours or more, is likelv 
to be injurious when seemimilv most successful. 
The injurious effects, however, may be reduced 
to a minimum bv a careful adherence to physi- 
oloofical rules. 

** Training:," savs a phvsician, *' sacrifices a man 
to muscle, not less than a prize pig is sacrificed 
to fat. Muscle and fat beina" in each case the 
special object, the success of the art is measured 
bv the amount of the sacrifice. But it is not' 
thus that men and pigs are made healthy." 

This is an extreme view, perhaps, particularly 
in sight of recent improvement in training sys- 
tems. But all forcimr is injurious, and traininu^ 
is a forcinir of the muscles. As Dr. Oliver 
AVendell Holmes savs. it is " burninir the vital fire 
with the blower up." It is like cramming for an 
examination — an immense amount of information 
is gathered in a very brief space of time ; l)ut too 
often the mind has been sacrificed to the memorv ; 
the over-stinndated brain soon loses its vi^or; 



10 i i:tiiks of hoxixu and manly sport. 

tlu' triiiinph lias ])een purchased by a life of 
iiKHlioc'i'ity or ai)athy. 

It was noted in ancient Rome that the athletes 
were short-lived, liable "to rupture of blood- 
vessels, to apoplexy, and lethargic complaints;" 
and it has been charired that even the trainin^y 
of our American college athletes, at least in the 
past, has had an injurious effect on' their health. 

Still, it must be admitted, in favor of training, 
that the greatest athletes known in modern times 
were not short-lived. 

From the results of the training adopted at the 
Knglish universities, it would appear that the 
constitution is even strengthened, the intellect 
sh.-irpened, and life lengthened. Dr. John Morgan 
('• Fniversity Oars,'' 1873), collected statistics of 
the subsequent health of those who have rowed 
in the university races since 1829, and he found 
that, whereas at twenty years of age, accordinir 
to Farr's life tables, the average expectation of 
survival is forty years, for these oarsmen it was 
forfy-two years. ^Moreover, in cases of death, 
inquiry into its causes exhibited evidence of good 
constitutions I'ather than the contrary, the causes 
consisting largely of fevers and accidents, to 
which the vigorous and active are more exposed 
than the sick. 

And it was certainly not at the expense of the 



IS TRAIXIXG IXJURIOUS? 



105 



mind, in those cases, that the body was cultivated, 
for this roll of athletes is adorned with the names 
of bishops, poets, queen's counsel, etc. 

The following: tal)le iz'ives the names and ao'es 
of twenty-two of the most famous prize-hirhters 
of p]nirland, Ireland, and America : 



NAME. 



John Brougliton 

Tom Johnson 

Daniel Mendoz.i 

John Jackson 

Jim Belcher 

Tom Belcher 

John Gnlly 

TomCribb 

Dan Donnelly 

Tom Spring 

Bendigo (W. Thompson). . . . 

Ben Camnt 

Wm, Perry (Tipton Slasher). 

Nat Laughain 

Harry Orme 

Tom Paddock 

Harry Browne 

Deaf Burke 

Tom Sayers . . . ., 

" Yankee " Sullivan 

John Morrissey 

John C. Heenan 



BORX. 


DIED. 


1703 


1789 


1750 


1797 


1763 


1736 


1769 


1845 


1 1781 


1811 


: 1783 


1854 


' 1783 


1863 


1781 


1848 


1788 


1820 - 


1795 


1851 


1811 


1880 


1815 


1861 


1819 


1881 


1820 


1871 


1826 


1864 


1824 


1863 


1826 


1865 


1809 


1845 


1828 


1866 


1811 


1856 


1831 


1878 


1835 


1873 



AGE. 

85 
47 
73 
76 
30 
71 
80 
67 
32 
56 
69 
46 
61 
51 
39 
39 
.39 
36 
38 
45 
47 
38 



Average Age, 47. 



This is not a very h^^vd showing for men whose 
profession involved numerous severe trainings 



KM) ETHICS OF BOXING AND MAXLV :S1*0IJT. 

and exhaustive conflicts, and whose lives in the 
intervals were usually dissipated and full of ex- 
eireinenl. Vnit it must be renienibered that, to 
start with, these men were exceptional for he;«llli, 
strength, and pr()l)al)le longevity. 

These iigunvs and facts seem to point to a pos- 
sible training, based on scientific principles, by 
which the highest possible nuiscular results may 
])e obtained without injury to health. 



II. 

THE EVILS OF niPROrEU TIIAIXIXG. . 

The "system of traininu" i)ursue(l bv most of 
those who train athletes, especially boxers, is, in 
the main, traditional, arbitrarv, and unscientilic. 
The main evils and danoers of the " svstem " are 
over-training, reduction of nervous force for the 
sake of muscular power, disregard of instruction 
in respiration, sul)jecting individuals of diflerent 
needs and appetites to the same rule, and training 
men who are from the first unfit to be trained. 

The end of training is to keep up the top speed 
or top force for a short or a long period. To do 
the latter requires the full development of the 
body, and long, careful, and patient preparation. 



THE EVILS OF IMPKOrER TRAINING. 107 

In a long contest, of any kind, a bad man 
trained will beat a good man untrained. This is 
a notal)le fact. 

Training implies a struggle of some kind. It 
ought to be l)ased on the principles of physiology 
and the special needs of the individual athlete. 
The usual time allotted to trainin": a man, or a 
crew, for a contested struaa'le, is six weeks. The 
objects to be obtained in this time are : 

1. The removal of superfluous fat and water. 

2. The increase of contractile power in the 
nuiscles. 

3. Increased endurance. 

4. '/Wind," or the power of breathing, and 
circulating the blood steadily, in spite of exertion. 

The first is arrived at mainlv bv a change of 
food ; the second and third by various muscular 
exercises ; the fourth by steadily keeping up such 
exercise as can only be sustained when the breath- 
iiiir and circulating: or^rans do their full dutv, such 
as running. Of course, each of these aids reacts 
on and helps all the others. 

Before considcrino- the training' that is bencfi- 
cial, it mav be well to ulancc at the unfortunate 
cflects of the traditional systems of training that 
are too commonly followed. 

Thouirh the trainin<>- of our athletes irrows 
better year by year (owing principally to the 



lOS lyrmcs of boxing and manly spout. 

liiiiluM' iiitclliixencc ;n^i)lied in the case of collcire 
oarsinen and ayninasts), it is a fact that to-da\' 
almost every boxer, and many other athletes, 
trainedfor a contest, are over-trained and seriously 
weakened. Quite recently, I saw a man on the 
day of his contest, Avhom his trainer spoke of as 
being "in splendid condition — hard as nails ; lost 
twenty pounds in six weeks." The man was 
iraunt ; there was a look in his eve that was un- 
natural. Ilis muscular svstem Avas wonderful to 
look on : but it liad drained almost his entire ner- 
vous vitalitv. lie could bear hammerina-, and he 
could strike hard; but the sul)tle and precious 
moral and nervous strenirth that would sustain 
him in a close fight, enable him to endure, and to 
leap into renewed opportunity, was drained dry 
to feed his hard muscles. lie was naturallv a 
brave and confident man : but that dav, when the 
struiriile tired and tested him, and his muscles 
were weary with o})p()sition, he had no nervous 
force to sustain him, and he suffered, dodged, and 
at last yielded, half-beaten, like a coward. The 
man had been trained out of humanity into a 
spiritless and thoughtless animal. 

It is notorious that " over-trainins:" leads to a 
condition of system in which the sufferers describe 
themselves as " fallen to pieces." The most 
])eculiar svmi)tom is a sudden loss of voluntarv 



THE EVILS OF IMPROPER TRAINING. 109 

power after exertion. It is sometimes called 
" fainting ; " but there is no loss of sense, and it is 
quickly relieved by liquid food. It is no uncommon 
thinor to see a man in the rins: or on the track come 
to a dead stop, though full of muscular power. 

This is sometimes caused by loss of "wind" 
(to be explained hereafter) ; but much oftener it is 
the result of the complete overlooking of the ner- 
vous streno'th bv a trainer ^vho thinks of no force 
except that which he can handle and measure. 

" The power which is to drive the muscles as 
the power of steam drives an engine, is produced 
by the nerves — a fact much overlooked." 

The effects of over-train imr and iirnorant train- 
ino^ are strikino-ly shown in the following: remarks 
bv a leadinir English medical iournal, " The 
Lancet," on the condition of John C. Heenan, the 
American boxer, when he fouirht Kino: for the 
championship of England, in December, 1863 : 

" The immense development of the muscles about the 
shoulders and chest was very remarkable. They stood out 
prominently, and as little encumbered with fat as if they had 
been cleaned with a scalpel. In firmness they resembled carti- 
lage. But, with all this splendid development, it was evident 
that Ileenan had received a shock from which his system Avas 
only slowly recovering; though whether this loss of power was 
due to punishment received in fight, or to the hard training which 
he had previously undergone, may be a disputed point. As physi- 
ologists, it seemed to us highly probable that his training had 
been too prolonged and too severe. "When Heenan M'ent into 



lU) KTIilCiJ OF IJOXINd AM) MANLY 81'OUT. 

training on Wedncsilay, the 20d of September — just eleven 
weeks before the match — his weight was fifteen stone, seven 
pounds. As he stepped into the ring on the 10th Instant, he 
was exactly fourteen stone. At the same time King weigheil 
thirteen stone, though he was three quarters of an inch taller 
than Heenan, whose height was six feet one and one half 
inches. Those who know what severe training means will, 
perhaps, agree that Heenan was probably in a better condition 
live weeks before meeting his antagonist, than on the morning 
of his defeat, although when he stripped for fighting the look- 
ers-on all agreed that he seemed to promise himself an easy 
victory, while exulting in his fine proportions and splendid 
muscular development. It is now clearly proven that Ileenan 
went into the contest iclth much more muscular than vital power. 
Long before he had met with any severe pmiishment — indeed, 
as he states at the close of the third romid — he felt faint, 
breathed with much difficulty, and, as he described it, his res- 
piration was "roaring." He declares that he received more 
severe treatment at the hands of Sayers than he did from King; 
yet at the termination of the former fight, which ■ lasted 
upwards of two hours, he was so fresh as to leap over two or 
three hurdles, and distance many of his friends in the race. It 
was noticed on the present occasion that his physique \\dn\ 
deteriorated, and that he looked much older than at his last 
appearance in the ring. Without offering any opinion as to 
the merits of the combatants, it is certain that Ileenan was in 
a state of deteriorated health when he faced his opponent; and 
it ii fair to conclude that the deterioration was due, in a great 
measure, to the severity of the training which he had mider- 
gone. As Mith the mind, so with the body, undue and pro- 
longed exertion must end in depression of power. In the 
process of physical education of the young, in training of our 
recruits, or in the sports of the athlete, the case of Heenan 
suggests a striking commentary of great interest in a physical 
point of view. AVhile exercise, properly so called, tends to 
(bvelopraent and health, excessive exertion produces debility 
and decay." 



MUSCULAII AND KESPIKATOKY POWEK. Ill 



III. 



ML'SCULAR POWEE SECOXDAEY TO EESPIRATORY 

POWER. 

'* MuscuLAPw power," saA's a leadiiiir Enaii^h 
authority on training (Maclaren), *' plays quite 
a secondary part in rowing ; respiratory power 
makes the first claim, and makes it more exact- 
inalv than in anv other mode of i:)hvsical exertion 
in which men can he ena"a£red." 

I do not think that rowing" makes a 2"reater 
claim on ''the wind" than anv other exercise. 
I am convinced that a heavier demand on the 
lunirs is made bv both fast swimmimr and boxing- 
— undoiibtedlv bv the latter. Probablv nine 

ft. «/ ft.- 

pugilistic contests out of a dozen are decided by 
sui)erior •' wind," and this is true of almost all 
fast-swimmina' matches. 

In another place in this article reference is 
made to the need of deep-breathing for the attain- 
ment of general health. But it is not deep- 
breathins" alone that the stru2"ii'lin2' athlete needs. 
He must, by practice, attain tlie art of koldimf his 
hreath and addiiuj thereto. Even in deep-breath- 
ing the lungs are never emptied of resident air. 
Fresh air must be stored for a time in the luns^s 



I 



11:^ KTIIKS OF BOXLVG AND MANLY SPOUT. 

before it is allowed to reach tlie ])lood. We 
retain al)oiit two huiidred and iit'ty cubic inches of 
this resident air (which is the tempered reservoir 
whence the bh)od derives its oxvsren), and <>-rad- 
uallv renew and chanij^e it l)v breathin<r. We 
inspire only some twenty-five to thirty cubic 
inches of fresh, cold air at each breath. This 
is a ni:in's normal restiniz condition ; of course, 
when stroni^ exercise beo-ins the blood demands 
more fresh air. The novice, or the unin- 
structed athlete, when exercise l)C2:ins, connnits 
the irrave mistake of l)reathino: out his resident 
air, to make room for a deeper inspiration. But 
the cold, fresh air is not aHowed by nature to 
reach the air-cells : if it chances to o-et down too 
far it makes us cough ; it is too cold, and has too 
much oxygen. Therefore, a vacuum, or half-filled 
space, is created ; the novice <^^U "out of breath ; " 
and, if he cannot gradually recover what he has 
lost, he must come to a stop. 

The [)roperly trained man, on the contrary, 
endeavors to keep all the air he has got, and to 
add to it, by intruding on the complementary 
space. AVhen he has regained the small (juantity 
necessarilv lost at startimr the muscular action, 
and increased on it, he has i^ot what is called 
his " second wind," and then he is able to go on 
while his nmscular power holds out. 



MUSCULxiR AND KESPIRATOKY POWER. llo 

Kuiininof is the best exercise to increase the 
breathing and staying power, as the muscles used 
in propelling the runner's body do not interfere 
with those of respiration. The runner can hold 
his breath, with the chest fully extended, for a 
long time, while the rower, for instance, must fill 
his lungs at each stroke, — from thirty to forty 
times a minute. But, with practice, the rower 
can keep his chest well filled without letting out 
his resident air ; he lets out a small quantity only, 
and fills this up again, so as to keep the full com- 
plement of air necessary for the blood without 
chano'ino' a o'reat quantity at each breath. 

As the arm increases in o^irth from usins: the 
dumb-bell, the chest of the runner and oarsman 
accustoms itself to the lara'cr demands made 
upon it, both for breathing and holding the wind. 

It must be remembered that mau}^ persons, 
thouiih muscular and athletic, can never learn 
to do anything that demands rapid respiration. 
They can put forth their strength slowly ; but 
they always get " winded" in a rapid and vigorous 
test. Persons, with this peculiarity, usually try 
to cure themselves by muscular exertion ; but 
this is wron<r. ^Vhat they need is intelliirent and 
long-continued exercise of various kinds for the 
breathinir or^'ans. 

•'Indigestion, sleeplessness, nervous Indecision, 



114 KTIIK'S ol" JioXlNi; AM) MAM.V SI'OK'T. 

palpitation of the heart, and irreii'ularity of the 
])o\vcls (lisapi^oar iiiidcr proper training," says an 
a])lc physieian and athlete ; " but if they exist, 
the regimen shouhl be entered upon with more 
than usual caution." 



IV. 

Tin: FOOD OF ATHLETES IX TRAINING. 

'* IIaki) work trains," says an authority (AVood- 
gate), '' and diet keeps the frame up to its work." 
This has been the principle on which training, of 
])east and man alike, has been carried out since 
the benetits of " condition" were tirst appreciated. 

Trainers usually besfin w^ith excessive emetics 
and aperients, ''to clear the bh)od." There is no 
particular harm in this, if they do not make the 
man or crew work hard till " tone " is recovered. 
Then comes rei^ular feedimr, i>()od in itself, but 
with the usual order — "the less drinkinir the 
better — rKjuids swell and soften the body." In 
detiance of tin; i)livsioloa'ical fact that different 
individuals need different quantities of liquid as 
well as of solid food, this practice will be applied 
generally. Of course it brings about a rapid re- 
duction of flesh ; but it severely reduces strenirth, 
nervous and physical, at the same time. 

The true rule for drinkinu: while " in trainin^^' 



THE FOOD OF ATHLETES IX TRAINING. 115 

is — first bar out seductive and injurious drinks, 
and tlien drink when vou want ; but only drink 
water. The "swelling" and "soft flesh" are 
rank nonsense. 

Trainers exclude most vesfe tables, as beinsr 
"watery food," — another flagrant error. The 
acids of vegetables are necessities for the blood, 
for digestion ; and, besides, their strength as food 
is verv o^reat. 

Under all systems of trainino- and rules of diet, 
it must never be forirotten that ' ' what is one 
man's food is another man's poison."' 

The Greeks of old fed their athletes on whcaten 
bread, fresh cheese, and dried has : later they ad- 
vanced to l^eef and pork : but the bread and meat 
were taken separately, the former at breakfast, the 
latter at dinner. Except in wine the quantity of 
food and drink for Greek athletes was unlimited. 
The exercises consisted, besides the ordinary 
gymnastic instruction oi \h^ j^alodstra ^ in carrying 
heavy loads, lift ins: weiirhts, bendins: iron rods, 
striking at a suspended leather sack fllled with 
sand or flour, taming bulls, etc. 

The modern athlete, in training', eats meat at 
least three times a day. The best systems are 
those pursued at the great universities of 
England and America. As an example, I give 
here the Oxford system of training for the sunnner 
boat-race : 



IK; ethics of boxing and manly sport. 



A day's training at oxford. 

Rise about 7 a.m. 

j A short walk or 



Exercise 



Breakfast at 8.30 
r.M. 



Exercise in fore- 
noon 



\ iv snon waiK or ( 

( j.^ I Xot compulsory. 

Of tea I 

Meat, beef or niut- J 



As little as possi- 
ble. 



ton ( 

Bread or dry toast 

Xone 



Under done. 

Crust only 
I mended. 



( Crust only recom- 



Dinner at 2 p.m. 



Meat much the 
same as at break- 
fast 

Bread 



i 



Crust onlv recora- 



Exercise ^ 



) mended. 

Vegetables, none., i ^'ot always adher- 

I ed to. 

Beer, one pint 

About tive o'clock 
start for the river 
and row twice over 
the course, the 
speed increasing 
with the strength 
of the crew 



Supper at 8.30 or 
p.M - 



Bed at 10 I'.m. . 



Meat, cold 

Bread, and perhaps 
a little jelly or 

water- cresses 

I Beer, one pint 



THE FOOD OF ATHLETES IN TRAIXIXG. 117 

Dr. T. K. Chambers, a renowned British scien- 
titic authority, says of this system : 

"It may be considered a t>i)ical regimen for fully develoi>- 
ing a yoimg man's corporeal powers to fulfil tlie demands of 
an extraordinary exertion, a standard which may be modified 
according to the circumstances for which the training is 
required."' 

The Cambrido'e (Ens. land) system ditlers verv 
slisrhtly from the above ; and in neither is any 
exaofgerated severity of discipline enforced, nor 
any rigid suppression of peculiarities or wish for 
varietv. 

The system of training pursued by the Harvard 
University crews is generally the same as that fol- 
lowed by the English universities. It may, how- 
ever, be noted that the same degree of perfection 
has not vet been attained by Harvard, nor is it 
claimed 1)V the gentlemen who have this care in 
hand. " The chief difierence to be found in fiivor 
of Oxford or Cambridge, England," says a Har- 
vard oarsman and athletic authority, '" is the 
permanency of their principles. They do not 
swing around the compass either at defeat or 
victory." 

The system at Yale, independently of the 
varvins: stvles of rowino- resembles also that of 
the English universities. Yale, however, in the 
matter of trainino-, has the best-organized colleire 
system in America. 



lis KTIIICS OF BOXIiNG AND MANLY SPOKT. 

Tlie following extremely valuable contribution 
to the physiological lore of training, undoubtedly 
one of the ablest treatises ever prepared on the 
special subject, has been written for this book by 
a distinguished Boston physician, who has made 
it a particular study, — Dr. Francis A. Harris, 
^Medical Examiner of Sutlblk County, Professor 
of Surger}' in the Boston Dental College, Demon- 
strator of ]\Iedico-Leoal Examinations in Harvard 
Universitv, etc. : — 

'i'lie <iuestion of the alimentation, or feeding of the athlete, 
is one to l)e determined by the consideration of several factors 
in the result to be obtained. 

These factors are, in general, first, the development of the 
body to such a degree, that, Avith the best muscular condition, 
there shall also be the nicest possible balance between the 
various systems, muscular and nervous. The human body is, 
as it were, a sort of chemical engine; and, however perfect the 
machine may be made, if the motive power be not kept sup- 
plied, the machine is useless. 

A second factor is the removal of the superfluous, and the 
superfluous only. Athletes and their trainers are too apt to 
carry the reduction of fat to a point below the requirements 
of i)roper i^hysical health. Fat, beside other functions, sup- 
plies heat to the body; and, for most chemical processes, a 
certain temperature is requisite; and, in so far as the fuel 
necessary for sustaining that temperature is taken away, so far 
are the chemical changes interfered with. This is especially 
true of the changes in man. Most men are trained too fine. 
It is a matter of history, that, in the Oxford-Harvard race of 
1S()0, two of th^ crew, by training till two others who joined 
tliem weeks later were in condition, were so far below their 
own ])est physical condition as to render the crew, as a \vhole, 



THE FOOD OF ATHLETES IN TRAINING. 110 

not fit to do its best work, and caused a defeat, wliich, perhaps, 
was unavoidable, greater than it otherwise would have been. 
I am aware that this statement has been disputed; but, as one 
present at the time, I am fii'uily convinced such was the case. 

A third factor is the development of what is essential for 
])erfect condition to a degree consistent with a proper working 
of all parts, — muscular, nervous, respiratory, and digestive. 

All this involves the consideration of the following mat- 
ters : — 

1. The kind of food. 

2. The quantity of food. 

3. The methods of preparation. 

4. The variety. 

o. The conditions mider which the food is used, as to time, 
relative to exercise and sleep, and the interval between meals. 

0. The question of fluids ; and 

7. Indirectly, the question of alcohol and tobacco. 

The determination of the kind of food depends upon broad 
physiological principles. Each trainer may, and generally does, 
lia-ve a diet -list which he considers the only proper one. Yet 
each is so far good, and so far bad, as it coincides with, or 
departs from, the general principles of physiology. The human 
machine, reduced roughly to its lowest common denominator, 
is a mass made up of chemical elements; chiefly carbon, oxy- 
gen, hydrogen, nitrogen, together with lime, sulphur, phos- 
phorus, and iron. 

The oxygen is, of course, chiefly suj^pliod from the air, and, 
to a less degree, from water. Hence the necessity of good 
respiratory apparatus, — hmgs that shall not only work well, 
but shall have as great volume as possible. The oxygen is 
rapidly consumed in the body. The greater the amount of 
exercise, the greater the waste, or rather expenditure, of mate- 
rial, including oxygen, and the greater the necessity for having 
large reservoirs from which to draw. 

Wind is as essential, perhax)s more essential than muscl»»: 
for a man in rowing, or running, maj'^ have plenty of muscle to 
go farther, but his exertions have expended more oxygen than 



1:^0 ETHICS OF liOXIXG AND MANLY 8POKT. 

his luiigs cau replace, and the machine won't go. The battery 
is run out. The hnigs can be developed, as well as any other 
l)ortion of the body, by exercising them in their own functions. 
Deep insi)irations while at rest, running, and the use of those 
nuiscles (us those of the upper arms and shoulders) whose move- 
ments tend to expand the chest, will so enlarge the capacity of 
the lungs that great amounts of one of the most important 
chemical foods of the body can be taken into the system. 

The other elements are to be found in any ordinary list of 
articles of diet; and, as a matter of fact, two or three articles 
may supply them all, — meats; including beef, mutton, veal, 
lamb, pork, poultry, and game; vegetables, including potatoes, 
corn, spinach, onions, peas, and beans; fish; bread in its vari- 
ous forms, oatmeal, eggs, milk, and fruit, make a list from which, 
with the addition of condiments, all necessary supplies obtain- 
able from food may be had. From such a list, however, selec- 
tions are obviously to be made with advantage. 

Xot alone is the food itself to be taken into the stomach; 
but, to accomplish its desired end Avith the least difficulty to 
the organism, the food must be of such kind as to be most 
easilv and readilv ditcested and assimilated. 

For that reason, of the meats ; beef, mutton, lamb, and game 
are to be preferred, as well as the dark, rather than light, meat 
of fowls. 

Fish of the white-mcatcd variety. 

Oysters raw, not cooked. 

Potatoes and oatmeal suftice for starch. 

Bread well cooked, and not of the finer grades of flour. 

31 ilk is to be regarded as a solid food, and not a beverage. 
It is very rich in nutriment, and is very readily digested ami 
assimilated. 

The quantity of food is, in a measure,- to be proportioned to 
the amount of work done as well as to the individual according 
to size. As to the amount to be taken, experience has shown, 
thiit, for a hard-working man, thirty to forty ounces a day are 
suthcient. But quantity depends on one other thing. That 
food may be properly digested, a certain amount of distension 



THE FOOD OF ATHLETES IN TRAINING. 121 

of the stomacli is uecessaiy; that is, for example, if all the 
food necessary for t"«'enty -four hours could he condensed into 
three holuses, or pills, these pills would not nourish the body 
like the same food taken in the ordinary form. From, this, it 
is easy to see that fish is a desirable article of food, as it satis- 
fies the cravings of appetite; and, though taken in considerable 
quantity, is so deficient in nutritive matter, as comjDared with 
meat, that it does not largely tend to ref)lace the fat used up in 
the body. It is true that a person, by change of diet from one 
containing much starch (;:hat is, articles like potatoes, bread, 
oatmeal, etc.) to one of meat chiefly, loses his fat. This loss, 
however, is due to the natural consumption of the fat in con- 
sequence of exercise, and the fact that it is not replaced by the 
food taken. From the starchy foods come the sujar, and on 
the sugar is largely dependent the formation of fat. 

But, even at risk of repetition, I cannot too strongly urge 
the use of good judgment in this matter of reduction of fat. 
Fat is useful, it is essential, and it is too common a practice to 
endeavor to get rid of it all. Yet, in so far as it is reduced 
beyond its proper ratio to the rest of the body, just so far does 
the body fall short of the perfect machine sought to be devel- 
oped. As it is, however, at the start, generally in excess, the 
diet, in the matter of fat-producing foods, should be restricted. 
Xot over one pound of bread or potatoes, out of a whole diet 
of forty ounces, should l)e eaten. 

The method of cooking has much to do with the nutritive 
qualities of a given food after it is eaten. Meats should be 
roasted or broiled, rather than baked or fried or boiled. In 
this way their juices are best retained. Starchy foods and fish 
sliould be thoroughly cooked, while meats should be a little 
underdone. 

The list of foods mentioned above should fm-nish sufficient 
variety; indeed, a very small portion of tlie list would furnish 
all the essentials; but variety itself is an essential. The long- 
continued use of a single article inspires disgust, and, in con- 
se ]uence, a smaller amount of food is taken, and even that 
amount less readily digested, as the fluids necessary to that 



12l> ETHICS OF IJOXINC} AND MANLY SPOUT. 

process are not poure;l out as freely as for those things Avhicli 
are appetizini;. It is not necessaiy that the mouth sliould 
•• wat(M\" but it must not be (h-y. 

The conditions under which food is taken are of crreat ini- 
jK^rUince. It should not be taken, in any considerable quantity, 
either directly before or directly after sleep. It should not be 
taken either immediately before or after severe exercise. The 
nervous system, after the complete rest of sleep, must liave a 
little time to get in working order, to acquire momentum, as it 
v.erv\ before it furnishes the motive-power for digestion; and, 
on the other hand, if called on to do it at a time when sleep 
i i required, it is apt to work imperfectly or not at all, and so 
both digestion and sleep are interfered with. The same 
principles apply to exercise. AMien the body is exhausted by 
violent or long-continued work, it is not in condition to perform 
the function of digestion; nor, if called from the performance 
of this function to perform severe muscular exercise, can it do 
so without, as it were, neglecting the work imperative to be 
done in digestion. 

In such a case the food passes undigested into the bowels ; it 
acts as an irritant, and l)()wel troubles ensue as a consequence 
of nature's attempt to get rid of what is really foreign matter. 

Without laying down a rule to be absolutely followed in all 
cases, it is safe to say that some such plan as this should be 
followed: 

liise at six; bathe; take about two ounces (a small cup) of 
coffee, with milk, — this is really a stimulating soup. Then 
light exercise, chiefly devoted to lungs; a little rest; the break- 
fast of meat, bread, or oatmeal, vegetables, with no coffee; an 
hoar's rest. Then the heaviest exercise of the day. This is 
contrary to nde ; but I believe the heaviest exercise should be 
taken before the hea\ie3t meal; a rest before dinner. This 
meal, if breakfast be taken at seven, or eight, should be at 
one, or two, not leaving a longer interval than five hours be- 
tween the meals. At dinner, again meat, vegetables, bread, 
perliaps a half-pint of malt liquor, no sweets. Then a longer 
rest; exercise till five. Supper light, — bread, milk, perhaps 



THE FOOD OF ATHLETES IX TRAIXIXG. 128 

with an egg. Half an hour later a cup of tea, and hed at 
nine. 

This is, of coiu'se, but a rough outline; but indicates the 
general plan. 

In the rest after dinner there must be no sleep. While 
breakfast and dinner should be the important meals, the din- 
ner should be the heavier, and should be in the middle of the 
day. 

The amount of fluid taken should be only moderate, especi- 
ally when it is a question of reducing fat. By rendering the 
solution of food in the stomach more dilute it promotes the 
rapidity of absorption, and, in fact, increases the actual amount 
of luitriment absorbed. Yet, water is, x>i'obably, the most im- 
portant article taken into the stomach of man. A person can 
endure hunger much longer than thirst; and the demand for 
water will make itself felt more quickly and more imperatively 
than the demand for food. It is ray belief, that, as a rule, in 
training, too little water is allowed. Three quarts, rather than 
three pints a day. There are good reasons for this. ^lany of 
the refuse particles, left after the chemistry of the boch', are 
carried out by the kidneys. If there is not supply of Avator 
enough to hold these matters in solution, the effect of too con- 
centrated secretion from those organs will make itself felt in 
serious disturbance, if not in actual disease; and, when it is 
remembered how much of the water is carried off by the lungs 
and skin, — in breathing and in perspiration, — an additional 
reason for caution in midue deprivation of water, is manifest. 

Of course, if milk or beer is used, tliat, to a certain extent, 
will diminish the necessity for water. 

It should be stated here, however, that milk, if used in the 
diet, is to be regarded rather as a solid food, than as a bever- 
age, — a pint of good milk being nearly the equivalent in 
nutritive properties to a poimd of steak. One reason that 
milk is said to be hard of digestion by certain people is, that 
after a hearty meal they drink milk for a bevera,ge, putting, as 
it were, one steak on top of another; and wondering why the 
stomach will not manage it all. Another reason why there 



IlM ethics of n()xi\(j and manly sport. 

slioiUtl not be too great a deprivation of water is, that this loss 
is so keenly felt as to almost eause sutfering, — certainly irrita- 
tion, — and so disturbs the tranquillity and perfect working 
of the nervous system as to destroy that balance which is so 
necessary. 

On this point, a word about sleep. The brain must have its 
exercise and its rest as well as the muscles. It must be nour- 
ished. Foods containing phosphorus (as fish) should be used. 
During the intervals between muscular exercise it should be kept 
moderately employed, and not too much stimulated. Heading, 
chat, discussions not too exciting, and games not calculated to 
arouse too great an excitement (that is, chess — not poker). 
The man should have plenty of sleep. While some men can 
go without much sleep, the average man, and especially the 
man in training, should have eight hours. 

In the nervous system is the motive-power of the machine; 
and in so far as that is exhausted, or imi)aired, or neglected by 
exclusive attention to the other systems, in so far will the ma- 
chine fail to work. 

As to alcohol and tobacco: it may safely be said that, on 
general i)rinciples, they are both artificial demands, unneces- 
sary, and therefore not beneficial. As, however, in these days, 
a large proportion of men are habituated to their use, and the 
system has become, ii; a measure, dependent upon them for 
the performance of certain functions, that the imnuHliate and 
entire abandonment of their use is not to be advised. The 
amount of alcohol should be very nmch restricted, — only 
what would be contained in a pint of malt liquor, at the most, 
and that at meal-time, should be taken. Tobacco should, also, 
be restri(.'ted, and gradually diminished till none at all is used. 
The heart, which has been long accustomed to be whipped up 
by alcohol, and soothed down (though irritated) by tobacco, 
will not work so well till it has been gradually accustomed to 
other treatment. 

As all the digestive functions should be performed properly, 
and as the diminution of water supply is likely to be consider- 
able, certain vegetables, like spinach and onions, and certain 



FOOD AND EXERCISE IN TRAINING. 12.") 

fniits, should be occasionally allowed, in spite of their sugar, 
for laxative puq)oses, — a method much better than the resort 
to more artificial means. 

Whether severe training is good for a man, or not, is a mat- 
ter of dispute. I cannot believe that it will increase longevity. 
The average condition is better than intermittent, severe strain. 
When one thinks what the heart is called on to do in severe 
exercise and training, it is hard to see how the lasting power 
of that organ can be increased by it, — that little organ, not 
larger than the fist, with its delicate, translucent valves, yet 
which, with proper care, will send a current of blood, one 
eighth the weight of the body (that is, seventeen pounds in a 
man weighing one hundred and forty) through that body every 
twenty seconds, waking or sleeping, from birth, perhaps, for a 
hundred years. This muscle has no chance to rest like the 
others. When that rests, the machine is broken. It has to be 
ready to Avork harder in sickness and accident. Isn't it asking 
too much of it, in addition, to do the extra work in training, 
and expect it to carry us to our three- score years and ten? 



V. 



A DAY S FOOD AND EXERCISE IN TRAINING. 

The training of athletes will vary, of course, 
with the nature of the contest ; but one may 
give a generalized sketch of a day's exercise in 
traininof, diiferino- more or less from the fore- 
going systems. It will be observed that Dr. 
Harris, in his suggestions, which ought to be 
invaluable to athletes, materially differs from 



12«1 KTIIICS OF IJOXIXU AM) MANLY JSrOKT. 

the Oxford svstcm of traininir. It iiiav ])e i^afclv 
concliuk'd tliat Dr. Harris writes with a careful 
regard to the ciroum5.tances of American life, 
and that his rules are better suited to the needs 
of American athletes. 

An athlete, in training, devotes his whole time 
to the reirular observance of rules. This regular- 
ity is iK>t possible for persons employed in shops, 
stores, and professions. They are sure to be 
far from their running-ground, their boat, their 
swimming-l)at]i. cVce. Still, there arc many oars- 
men, and others, who have to work all dav — 
even while training — and they must adapt then- 
exercises to their needs and time. The one exer- 
cise none can afford to neirlect is runnin«^, to 
clear the wind. 

Seven o'clock is a good time for an athlete in 
traininijf to rise. He ouirht to set a ^ood drv- 
rubbing, and then spunge his body with cold 
water, or have a shower-bath, with a thorouirh 
rubbing afterwards. He will then no out to ex- 
ercise before breakfast, — not to run hard, as is 
commonlv tauirht, but to walk brisklv for an 
hour, while exercising his lungs in deei)-breath- 
insr. 

Few men can stand runninir before breakfast. 
It produces nausea, spoils the breakfast, and 
throws them out for the whole dav. The food 



FOOD AND EXERCISE IX TIcAIXIXG. 127 

eaten at uioht has Ions: been consumed, and it is 
obviously wrona' to make a violent effort while 
the muscular and nerve oro:ans are in a state of 
inanition. But the walk and the open air will 
give a man an appetite for his breakfast. 

Charles AVesthall, the pedestrian, who gave 
nmch intelligent and experienced consideration to 
traiuinir. savs : — 

"The walk should be taken at such a pace that the skin 
does not become moist, but have a good, healthy glow on the 
surface, and the man be at once ready for his breakfast at 
eight o'clock." 

AVesthall recommends that, before this walk, 
an Q^g in a cup of tea, or something of the kind, 
should be taken. 

The breakfast need not alwavs consist of a 
broiled mutton-chop or cutlet; a broiled steak, 
broiled chicken, or broiled lish, or some of each, 
may ])e taken, with tea or coflee. (Dr. Harris's 
reirimen is excellent throuahout.) 

After breakfast, a o-ood rest for diirestion. 
About half-past ten, a man training for a boxing- 
contest might "punch the bag" (always an air- 
bag) for tifteen or twenty minutes, and spar four 
three-minute rounds briskly with his attendant. 
For the last two weeks of his traininsf, this oui>ht 
to be increased to eight or ten, or even tifteen, 
three-minute rounds, and the time-keeper should 



l:>,s KTHK s ui' r.().\iN(; and manly si'Oht. 

see that he jrets full time in each round. At no 
time durinir the day ouirht a man in traininir to 
loll ahout Jdlv. 

Whether for boxinu:, rowin«:, wrestlinor, or swim- 
niinir, there ouuht to be a re<2:ular runnin^^ exercise 
before the mid-day meal. This exercise ought to 
beirin moderatelv for time and distance, and in- 
crease gradually ; the last quarter of the run 
should always be at the top speed. 

If the men are training: for rowins:, thev ouo^ht 
to exercise in the boat twice every day. Let it 
not be forgotten that constant exercise, spread 
over a long period, is necessary to bring the 
nuiscular s^'stem into condition vliich can he de- 
pended nj)on. 

"Muscle may be full and firm, yet, if it be inactive for the 
greater part of its existence, it will not be capable of long and 
sustained exertion. Look at the muscle of the breast of a fowl 
or a pheasant: it is not deficient; it is large and plump; it 
serves its imrpose when called upon. But, if we contrast it 
with that of a grouse cr a m ood-i)igeon, what a difference may 
be observed! The muscle of the latter bird is so dark from 
arterializcd material and blood-vessels, that it looks black be- 
side the ' white meat ' of the former. The one is incessantly 
in motion, taking active exercise in quest of food and shelter; 
the other scarcely moves about at all. Xow, we want to ap- 
proach the condition of the grouse, not of the hen, to be capa- 
bl«' not only of a violent and short, but also of a long-sustained, 
effort; and, for this, many hours' exercise every day is needed." 
— TT. Clasper. 

Dinner may be far more varied than is usually 



FOOD AND EXERCISE IX TRAIXIXG. 12!) 

allowed bv the trainer's " system.'" Any kind of 
butcher's meat, plainly cooked, with a variety of 
fresh vegetables, may be taken, with ordinary 
light puddings, stewed fruit, but no pastr^^ A 
o'ood time for dinner is one o'clock. 

An American athlete, when thirstv, ouaht to 
have only one drink, — water. The climate and 
the custom in England favor the drinkins: of beer 
or claret; but, beyond question, the best drink 
for a man in training is pure water. After din- 
ner, rest, but no dozins: or siesta. This sort of 
rest only spoils digestion, and makes men feel 
slack and '' limp." 

After two-and-a-half hours' rest, with walkhig 
exercise, the final work of the dav — runninof, 
boxing, rowing, or hand-ball exercise, or all of 
these — always more than one. There should be 
two full hours of exercise at this period of the 
day, varied in speed, care being taken, whether 
in rowinsf, running', or boxins:, that not too much 
is done at the top speed. " If a man or a crew 
has been exercised at high pressure on one day, 
he should be allowed to do less the following 
evenmo^, and he will be all the better on the 
third." — (McLaren.) When w^ork is over, a man 
may have a bath, and be well rubbed down. (I 
have seen a rouixh silk mitten, manufactured in 
Boston, which is most excellent for the rubbiuir, 



I'M) ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY 8POIJT. 

lH)th wvi and drv.) If tlie athlete be thirsty, let 
him drink Avater, rinsing his mouth frequently. 
Suj)pcr, at six o'clock, should not be a second 
dinner; l)ut neither should it consist of " slops" 
or irruel. The food recommended 1)V Dr. 
Harris is excellent and sufficient. The athlete 
ouLiht to be in l)ed bv ten o'clock, in a room 
with open window, and a draught through 
the room, if })()ssible, though not across the 
bed. lie ought to sleep on a mattress, 
warndv but li<>htlv covered, and vithout a pillow. 
As explained later on, pillows are unnecessary to 
all but certain sick people. They injuriously 
atiect the ])reathing, weaken the muscles of the 
neck, making the neck lose one or two inches in 
irirth. and take a way the 2^reatest luxury of rest 
and sleep. 

Running, though indispensalde for clearing the 
wind in the early weeks of traininir, should 
usually be dispensed Avith at least two weeks 
before a boat-race. " A crew," says W. K. 
Woodgate, "that has rowed a slow stroke, and 
has meantime got fit (into condition), by running, 
will row a quick stroke with more uniformity 
later on than a crew that has done no runninir, 
but has got fit by fast rowing. The latter crew 
has always been abroad when ' blown,' and so has 
contracted faults. The former, when the time 



EXEIJCISES AND HOW TO PRACTISE THEM, lol 

for quick vStrokes comes, is like machinery in 
action, tit in wind, and has, therefore, neither 
exhaustion nor irregularity to throw it out of 
gear when the fast stroke is essayed." 

It may not he out of place to say that men are 
more often injured by the going out of training 
than l)y the trainins: itself. A reckless and 
sudden chans^e from asceticism to license is more 
harmful than all the severities of traininsf. "To 
make the conclusion of trainina' an excuse for in- 
duloence and excess not only injures health of 
body, but stultifies the lessons of practice, of self- 
control, and fixed habit, ^\hich are amonii' the chief 
moral recommendations of modern athletics." 



VI. 

VARIOUS EXERCISES AXD HOW TO PRACTISE THEM. 

The best exercise for a man training' for a box- 
ing-match is boxing ; the next best is running. 

The best exercise for a crew trainins: for a row- 
ing-race is rowimx ; the next best is runnimr. 

The best exercise for a man trainins^ for a 
s.vimming-match is swimming; the next best is 
runnino:. 



\:\'2 KTHrCS OF HOXINC AM) MANLY SI'OKT. 

And so with oilier contests: ruiinin<r is not 
only second best, but is absolutely necessary in 
each, for running excels all exercises for develop- 
ing " the wind/' This is simply because the 
muscular action of the runner enal)les him to 
hold and increase his wind more easily than is 
possible under the varied and violent arm and 
chest motions of the boxer, the oarsman, or the 
swimmer. 

A boxer, in trainins: for a contest, ouirht not to 
contine his sparring to one or two men. He 
ought to s])ar with new and a])le men, and with 
as man}' as })ossil)le. It is a radical and common 
error to confine the exercise to one opponent, no 
matter how Jiood he mav l)e. After a dozen 
bouts together, two men know every stop on each 
other's iranuit — even the variations are not sur- 
prises. Xew men, new ways. The boxer or the 
swordsman who uses himself onlv to a sinirle 
o[)l)onent, is very apt to lack eontidence with a 
stranirer. On the other hand, he who is used to 
manv antaironists welcomes a new man with a 
powerful sense of knowledge and confidence. 

Another exercise in sparring, next best to the 
opi)osition of a livinir boxer, is a hanirinii: ba2: — 
not a sand-bai; or a flour-bair, as of old — but an 
air-bag. 

The heavy sand-bag (thirty or forty pounds 



EXERCISES AND HOW TO rilACTISE THEM, lo;) 

weight) , which moved only a few inches even when 
struck heavih', was o-ood, niaiulv, for one thino- 
which, it is to be hoped, is out of date and unnec- 
essary — the hardening of the knuckles and skin 
of the hands. For practice in hitting, it was not 
ijood. One miu-ht as well strike the wall. It 
calls for no rapidity, no swift directness, no agile 
" ducking," retiring, or stepping aside to escape a 
return. 

The air-bag (a leathern foot-ball is best) is as 
(luick and as straight in return as a first-rate 
boxer. To strike it hard, very hard (so that it 
rebounds from the ceilins^ three or four times, 
accordins: to the force of the blow and heiirht of 
the room), is an excellent kind of solitary boxing 
exercise ; so, also, is the rapid and continuous hit- 
ting it with one hand. Besides this, it is interesting 
exercise. A man has to icorh with a sand-bai>' ; 
he his fun with an air-ball, and he can return to 
it with pleasure and interest two or three times a 
day. 

For nmscle-hardenin<2: exercise, there is nothing* 
better than the dumb-bell — onlij it must be a venj 
small dumh-hell — not a verv larii'e one, as of old. 
The best size is an iron, two-pound dumb-bell. 
This is the size with which the strona'cst men 
exercise nowadays. 

It is admitted, at last, that the object of exer- 



134 ETHICS OF ROXING AND MANLV SPORT. 

cise is not to strain but to strengthen. Heavy 
dumb-bells strain ; light ones strengthen. 

*' The effects of exercise," says an English med- 
ical authority on trainino-, "are twofold: on the 
one hand a stinudus is given to the action of the 
heart and hini>s, which enal)les the blood to be 
more thorouirhlv ox\i>'enated and more ra])idly 
circulated ; on the other hand, there is an expendi- 
ture of force accompanying the increased activity 
of the orgtuiic changes. Exercise strengthens the 
parts exercised, l)ecause it increases the nutrition 
of those parts. AVhen tuiy organ or muscle is in- 
active, the circulation in it becomes less and less; 
the smaller net-work of its blood-vessels are empty 
or but half filled: the streams gradually run in 
fewer channels, and the organ, ceasing to be 
thorouiihlv nourished, wastes away. When the 
or^mn is active all its vessels are tilled ; all the 
vital changes, on which depend its growth and 
power, proceed rapidl}'. The force expended is 
renewed, unless the expenditure has l)een exces- 
sive, in which case there is a disturbance of the 
mechanism, and depression, or disease, results. 
. . . The advantage of exercise to a student, 
politician, or any other brain-worker, is that it 
lessens the over-stinudus of his l)rain, distributes 
the blood more equally, calling to his muscles 
some of those streams which would impetuously 
be rushinir throuirh his brain." 



EXERCISES AND IIO^V TO PRACTISE THEM. 135 

In other words, exercise with the arms, legs, 
or trunk, relieves the congested brain as surely, 
and, of course, far more healthfully than bleeding. 

To return to the need and superiority of the 
liirht over the heavy dumb-bell : exercise with 
the latter is necessarily brief. The sinsfle heavy 
(lumb-l)ell can be lifted from four to twenty times, 
say, according to its weight. The whole body 
is violently strained for the ])rief effort. Quite 
often, if the liftino- be not carefully iri'aduated in 
weio'ht, the in-rushino- blood l)ursts some of the 
finer net-work of the vessels, or the delicate 
coverins: of the muscles is rudely torn, and the 
would-l)e athlete is an invalid for life. 

The one-pound or two-pound dumb-bell strains 
notliins: : it only adds to the swins: of the hands. 
The exercise can be varied so as to develo[) 
upper and lower limbs and trunk. It is par- 
ticularly adapted to those who are not trained 
athletes. Say, the arms are thin and weak and 
soft, and you want to increase their size, 
strenirth, and firmness. There are only a few 
regular motions for this, and they can be learned 
in a minute. The hands, grasping the dumb- 
bells, ai-e hauiiina' by the sides : beirin by rais- 
ino^ them, bendinir the elbow and touchin<>" the 
front of the shoulder with the l)all of the thumb ; 
down again, and up again : that is all. You re- 



irilJ ETHICS OF BOXIN(J AM) MANLY SI»OKT. 

peat this inolioii twenty times, thirty, on to fifty 
or sixty l)ef()re you are tired. 

Then stop, — always stop any exercise when it 
tires you : this is nature's advice. 

But be^in in a minute or so, and go over it 
ao-ain. You will i)ro1)a1)lv this time reach seventv. 
Then clian<io the motion : extend the arms like a 
cross, on a level with the shoulders, and double in 
from the ell)ow, alternately, just touching the tips 
of the shoulders with the hands. Keep this up 
till vou are tired, and then iro back to the first 
motion. 

Tn a week you will be able to raise the hands 
in the first motion hundreds of times, in a few 
weeks a thousand times. 

This means — what? It means that you keep 
the umscles of the arms working actively for from 
a quarter of an hour to an hour ; that the lately 
dried-up blood-vessels are now full of warm blood, 
feedinir the hot nmscles as a trench full of water 
feeds a famished field. It means also that the 
girth of the arm is one, two, or more inches 
larirer than it was a few weeks airo ; that the fiesh 
is firm and solid: and that arm, shoulder, and 
hand are so strong that there is a new pleasure 
even in swiniiinir an umbrella or shakincf hands 
with an old tViend. 

l*roceed in the same way with the muscles of the 



THE CIHSE OF THE CLOSED WIXDOW8. 137 

feet, legs, sides, abdomen, back, and neck ; and 
ill three months the Avorkl and life will have 
almost as new a look and meaning for you as if 
3'()u had been born over again. 

Any low-priced treatise on athletics will teach 
you the motions for the different muscles. 



VIT. 

THE CURSE OF THE CLOSED W^INDOWS. 

Remembek, always, it is not the handling of 
heavy weights that is beneticial, hut the numher 
of times you i^erforin a tuotion. The object de- 
sired is to draw the blood to the wasted or unde- 
veloped muscles, and keep it there long enough 
to feed the old, and to form new cells. The 
l)lood remains in the muscles while they continue 
exercisinc:. 

I dwell on the use of dumb-bells because they 
are so handy and so varied in excellence. Dumb- 
bell exercise is in every one's reach. Twenty- 
tive cents will l)uy a pair of two-pound iron 
dumb-bells. You need no gymnasium other than 
any upper room in your house, vitlt the vuidows 
wide oj)en. Never exercise with closed windows. 



188 KTJllC.S OF li(JXIX(} AND MAXLV SPOUT. 

KoinoiDhei' that the largest vein in your body 
is open at one end ; and it is not filled with ])lood, 
Imt air. — your wind-pipe. 

It invites disease to till vour lunirs with had 
air, when you breathe Jieavily under exercise, in- 
haling all the floating threads and dust of a closed 
room. This 0})en vein njakes a breathinir man 
part of th(^ outer world ; the atmosphere is his 
bellows. This is why we ought to love and value 
the country, j'nd hate the citv. ^Ve are truly and 
actually part of the place we live in : its life en- 
ters with every insi)iration into our lives. We 
are one with the reeking streets ; with the foul 
exhalations of bar-rooms, with their stale drinks 
and hi(h'()us spittoons; of smoke-filled cars; of 
crowded halls; and, again, we are one with the 
fresh morning air of the fields ; with the balsam 
of the strong and beautiful pines ; with the sweet 
breathings of cattle ; with the wholesome smell of 
the fresh-dug earth ; with the frai^rance of the 
meadows and the hedges and the trees ; with the 
sound-washed atmosphere of the sparkling river. 

Even in a physical sense, the word of the poet 
is true: "lie who has Xature for a companion 
must, in some sense, be ennobled by the inter- 
course." 

"You will find," says St. Bernard, "some- 
thing far greater in the woods than you will find 



THE CLKSE OF THE CLOSED WINDOWS. 1^9 

in books. Stones and trees will teach vou that 
which vou will never learn from masters.'' 

*' There is no riches above a sound bodv," savs 
Ecclesiasticus, "and no joy above the joy of the 
heart." 

'•Life is only life when blessed with health," 
says Martial. 

"It is the misfortune of the vouns:," savs Svd- 
uey Smith, " to be early thrown out of perfect 
tune by the indiscreet eftbrts of their parents to 
force their minds into action earlier than Xature 
intended. The result is dissonance, want of har- 
monv. and derana'ement of function. The nervous 
system is over-excited, while the physical system 
is neo'lected. The brain has too much work to 
do, and the bodilv oro^ans too little. The mind 
may be fed, but the appetite is lost, and society 
is tilled with pale-foced dyspeptics." 

'' The ancient Greeks," sa^'S Dr. Samuel Smiles, 
"among their various wisdom, had an almost 
worshipful reverence for the bodv as beins: the 
habitation of the soul. They gave their l)ody 
recreation as well as their mind." 

"And what thinkest thou," said Socrates to 
Aristodemus, "of this continual love of life, this 
dread of dissolution, which takes possession of us 
from the moment that we are conscious of exist- 
ence?" — "I think of it," he answered, "as the 



140 K'lllKS (H- I!()\IN(i AM) .\JAM.V M'OIJT. 

means employed hy thv. .same great and wise 
Artist delil)erately determined to preserve what 
he has made." 

''If we are asked," says a scientific authority, 
"wliich of the many necessaries of life is ])est 
entitled to the chief place we must surely reply, 
oxviren. This i^as forms about one fifth of the 
bulk of the atmos})herc, and our wants are sup- 
l)lied by the act of l)reathin<r, so regularly and 
ceaselessly performed by every one. It is pos- 
sible to live for a long time without the protection 
of a house or of clothing; it is even possible to 
live for nianv davs without food ; ])ut if we are 
deprived for only one or two- minutes of oxygen, 
the consequences are serious, and may be fatal. 
. Again, oxygen is so closely connected 
with the great vital processes upon which our 
growth and daily energy depend, that food itself 
is useless unless accompanied I)}' a large supply 
of it. Indeed, when the quantity of oxygen 
which a man consumes in his lungs daily is calcu- 
lated, it is found to be irreater in weiirht than all 
the dry food he re(]uires during the same period. 
Yet, again, if we wish a house and clothina' and 
food, we nmst work for them ; but for oxviren 
there is nothinir to i)av. It is free to all, and lies 
around us in such al)undance that it never runs 
short. Here, then, we see every means taken to 



THE CURSE OF THE CLOSED WINDOWS. 141 

insure that all our demands for oxviren shall be 
freelv and fullv met, and vet we are assured hv 
medical authorities that a very large proportion 
— some say one fourth — of all the deaths that 
take place is caused, directlv or indirectlv, bv 
oxviren starvation." 

A\'hat is the reason that so manv must suffer 
and die for want of this endless blessinir. — fresh 
air? The chief reason, answers the same au- 
•thoritv, is citv life. Instead of livin<r in the 
countrv, where everv household miirht have a 
large, free space of air around it, we draw together, 
for the convenience of busmess. to iri*eat centres. 
There the houses are crowded closelv toorether, 
often piled one on the top of the other, so that, 
instead of an overabundance, there is onlv a 
limited quantity of air for each. This is made 
unlit for the support of life by the very act of 
breathing; the impurities are increased by the 
waste products of manufactories ; and oxygen is 
destroved bv everv tire and lanji) and «:as-liirht. 
The winds and certain properties of the atmos- 
l)here constantly remove much of the impure air, 
and bring in a pure supply ; Init the crowding 
to2:ether in manv parts of a town is so irreat, and 
the production of poisonous matter goes on so 
continuouslv, that instead of each breath contain- 
ing its full proportion of oxygen, the place of 



142 ETHICS OF IJOXING AND MANLY Sl'OIfT. 

that gas is taken up to some extent hy wliat is 
ac'tuallv hurtful to life. AVhen this is the condi- 
tiou of the atmosphere outside the dwelling, it is 
necessarily much worse within it, for there the 
displacement of impure air hv pure cannot take 
l^lace so rapidly. The consequences arc as already 
stated. Large i)arts of our town po})ulati()ns 
never have sufficient oxviren : their lives are feeble 
and full of suffering, and numbers die before their 
time. Such focts are painful to contemplate ; but 
a knowledge of them puts the wise man on his 
iruard. and he mav do nuicli for himself. In the 
choice of a house he will remember the advantage 
of a great air-space around it, and of plenty of 
space within it, so that l)edrooms may not be 
overcrowded. Or, if a lariz'e house is bevond his 
means, he will take care that the rooms are not 
crowded with furniture, for every piece of furni- 
ture excludes an ecpial ))nlk of air. When he 
enters the house he will see that at all times as 
nuicli fresh air from the outside is admitted, by 
means of open doors and windows, as can be 
allowed without inconvenience from cold : and as 
often as possible he will have a l)low through, to 
clear out all odd corners where foul air mav 
liuirer. '• Pure air and irood food make ])ure 
blood, and only pure blood will give good 
health." 



FOR CITY DWELLERS AND CHILDREN. 143 



YIII. 

EXERCISE FOR CITY DWELLERS AND SCHOOL 

CHILDREX. 

But let us return to the city and the irvm- 
nasi am. 

Dumb-bells are first-rate. Xext, weiirhts and 
pulleys : you can bay them for two dollars, and 
set them up in any room where you may open the 
window Avhen you want to exercise. They in- 
crease the volume and power of the extensors of 
the shoulder, arm, and forearm, — muscles rarely 
used. 

"There are many troubles which you cannot 
cure by the Bible and the hymn-book," said 
Henry Ward Beecher : " Init wliich you can care 
by a good perspiration and a breath of fresh air." 

A breath of fresh air ! What does it mean ? 
It means the country, of course : but it means the 
city, and your own room, with the window wide 
open, if you cannot get to the country. The air 
is God's ; and He cleans it eyen for the vitiated 
city. 

Most human beings breathe imperfectly ; and 
without irood breathing health and stren^^th are 
impossible. 



1 I I KTllirs OF liOXINC; AM) MANLY SPORT. 

'' It is estimated," savs a recent clever writer 
(H. 'I\ Finck), " that there are from seventy-five 
to one hiuulred cubic inches of air ic/iich ahraf/s 
remain in a jjkdi's lungti. About an equal amount 
of ' supplemental ' air remains after an ordinary 
expiration ; and onlv twenty to thirty inches of 
' tidal air,' as Huxley calls it, passes in and out." 

You have seen in a river-l)end, where the deep 
water is stagnant, a floatinsf \oz lie stationary for 
weeks and months. It would lie there, in the 
srreen scum, if let alone, till the freshet came in 
the spriiiiz". There is a lot of that kind of still 
air in the lunii:s, waiting: for a freshet — which 
some placid people never experience (these are 
the nice, pallid, delicate dyspeptics). 

The unused and undisturbed air in the lunirs, if 
oriirinallv breathed in from close and exhausted 
rooms, can become as foul as the stairnant river- 
pool, it nuist be expelled — and how? By deep- 
hreatlii)iif . 

*' There are few persons," says the author of 
" Personal Beauty," " whose health and personal 
appeai-ance would not be improved vastly if they 
would take several daily meals of fresh air — con- 
sistinir of twenty to fifty deep inspirations — in a 
})ark or some other i)lace where the air is pure 
and bracinir.*' 

Decp-breatliing is a niiiihty means of preserv- 



FOR CITY DAVELLERS AND CHILDREN. 145 

ino- and restorinir health — indeed, it ouirht to be 
called the first means. The air is a great and 
cheap doctor. 

" The wise for cure on exercise depend; 
God never made His work for man to mend." 

]\Ianv leaduiiT authorities are of opinion that 
the best way to learn deep-breathing is to inhale 
slowly as much air as you can get into the lungs 
without discomfort, and then exhale again just as 
slowly. A clever physician, however, and one of 
the best athletes in America, told me a better way, 
which I have tried and recommended with unfiiil- 
ins: success. It is to inhale slowlv and full}', without 
straining, and then shoot the air out of the lungs 
with a sudden gust, by a collapse of shoulders 
and chest. Then slowlv fill the lungs again 
(through the nostrils), — and gush I out it goes 
(through the mouth) with a sound like a small 
locomotive. In the street, vou mav be noticeable, 
by the noise, perhaps; but you can get through 
your twenty or thirty puffs twice a day without 
nuich trouble. 

The effect of this practice is almost incredil)le. 
Take two or three spells of thirty breaths each 
day for one month ; and you will increase your 
chest-measurement in that time from two to four 
inches! And this is not like the trainer's in- 
crease : it is permanent. And, besides, you will 



I 



14(> ETIIIC8 OF JiOXIXG AND 3IANLY 8POKT. 

hiive unconsciously contracted a habit of dccp- 
breathing for the remainder of your life. 

One of the misfortunes of New Enjiland is the 
rarity of horselmck-riding as an exercise. *' The 
saddle is the seat of health," says Dr. Smiles ; 
"riding may be regarded as the concentrated 
essence of exercise." 

^'Who is your doctor?" said some one to 
Carlyle. "My best doctor," he replied, "is 
a horse." 

The Puritan finds it hard to l^elieve, thousfh, 
that "idleness is not all idleness." Cicero said : 
" Xo one seems to me to be free who does not 
sometimes do nothing." And elsewhere he says : 
" There should be a haven to which we could fly 
from time to time, not of sloth and laziness, but 
of moderate and honest leisure." 

Every American, 3'oung, middle-aged, ay, and 
old, ouirht to take from two to four weeks at 
least, every summer, for rest and sport. Shoot- 
inoj, fishinir, driving: tours, walkini; tours. We 
can all enjoy one or more of these exercises. 
George Stephenson knew the folly of trying to 
take too much out of one's self. When he found 
his friend Lindley exhausted and depressed by 
too excessive application to engineering, he said 
to him : "Xow, Lindley, I see what you are after 
— you are trying to get thirty shillings out of 



FOR CITY DWELLERS AND CHILDREN. 14,7 

your pound. My advice to you is — give it 
up.'' 

Children in school o-rowinir narrow-chested and 
round-shouldered stooping over desks and books, 
ouo'ht to be tauo'ht to breathe as well as to read, 
and they ought to be kept at it as constantly. 
And i:)rizes and honors ou2"ht to be aiven to the 
girls and boys who can run best, swim best, 
throw the farthest ball, and whose chest-measure- 
ment, taken monthly by the teacher, is largest, 
as well as to those pale-faced students in specta- 
cles, who can demonstrate a problem in Euclid or 
construe Greek at si^'ht — or rather at half-siaht. 

The examination of the eyes of Boston public- 
school children, l)y a distinguished oculist, a few 
years airo, brouirht to liirht the shockino' fact that 
the vision of tlie majority was defective. The 
Hygiene Committee of the Boston School Board, 
in a report dated Nov. 22, 1887, said : ''It has 
been settled beyond question that school-life has 
a damaging effect on the eyesight of children." 

Listen to the cono-re^'ation in church on Sunday 
morninsf, where there is nothing' to divert atten- 
tion. From end to end of the church you will 
hear an endless hackinsf and wheezins: from bron- 
chial tubes in all stages of disease and decay. 
Suppose you had a flock of sheep, and that you 
came on them quietly some day, and heard such a 



14^ ETHICS OF BOXING AM) MANLY JSl'OUT. 

foiighino; and wheezino- as this of the conirre<ration, 
would you not shake your head? And, then, sup- 
lK)se you learned that the 3'oung ones were o-row- 
ing dim-sighted ? AVliat kind of farmer would vou 
1)0 to go on treating those afflicted sheep on the 
old condition that had caused their injury? 

Plato reprehended a boy for playing at some 
childish game. ''Thou reprovest me," said the 
boy, *' for a very little thing."—" Custom," said 
Plato, "is no little thiiiir." 

And not only are we to be (unless we turn to 
athletics for the cure) a race of bald-headed, round- 
shouldered spectacle-wearers, but a race of uolv 
dyspeptics, divided between lank-sides and pot- 
bellies. What, with our horse-cars, crowded on 
bright days, when every one should walk, with 
our corseted women and irirls crushing- their 
livers into their abdomen, and their hearts into 
their lungs ; with our narrow-chested weaklings 
with quavering stomachs, depending on the deadly 
revival of the cocktail — may the Lord have pity 
on our descendants ! 

Beecher was riirht — there are some thinsfs vou 
cannot learn out of a hynni-book half so well as out 
of a tree. And there are other things you can 
learn better than a precept can teach, out of a 
sallow face, or a red nose, or (Udl eyes, or 
peevish mouths, and miserable homes. You 



FOR CITY DWELLEKS AND CHILDREX. 149 

can learn, for instance what rum does, what dissi- 
pation does, what self-indulgence does, not only 
on the morals l)ut on the personal appearance. 

Vanity is a moral force as well as a moral weak- 
ness : it depends on the direction and object. 

AVhen vou cannot reach a vounix man's con- 
science bv a temperance argument, you may 
reach his vanity by leadino' him up to a shaky, 
bleary, lyins:, home-cursins: drunkard, and tell 
him that he is beginning to look like that! 

Instead of lecturing' a youno; woman on the 
folly of fashion, tell her, and prove to her, that 
her beauty will be nuirdered ; that her eyes will 
grow dim ; that she will die an old maid, sour 
and wrinkled, if she continue to outrage the laws 
of Nature by tyino' herself in the middle with 
corset-strimrs like a livinir blood-puddina'. Hor- 
rible taste ! Tell her to open her bed-room win- 
dow, and let in the part of her that is outside, — • 
the fresh part, the sweet air that belongs to her 
heart, that her poor blood is rotting for. Tell 
her that unless she does these thin2:s, and walks 
and l)reathes and bends like an animal, as she is, 
instead of ridins: on horse-cars and bua'ijies, and 
mincins: o^^ hia'h-heeled shoes that distort her 
feet, and ])reathini]: contamination in her hermeti- 
cally-sealed bedroom, she will irct wrinkles round 
her toothless mouth, and blue circles under her 



l/iO ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLV SPOKT. 

dull eyes, like all the other querulous, ill-tem- 
pered and sour-fiiced maids and matrons who 
crowd the horse-cars, and worry and abuse the 
poor, tired girls in the stores. 

Better burn all the school-books and school - 
houses in America than 20 on another half cen- 
turv conirestiniT the children's brains with memory- 
cramniinir, blindino^ their siirht and crookinor their 
backs with constant study. 

Give us a rest ! Give us thne to play while we 
are children ; for, God knows, we shall have work 
enouirh, and too much, as men and women. 

The whole system of American life, from child- 
hood to old aire, miirht have been invented by a 
distorted mind, bent on deirradinir the natural 
beauty of the human form, and producing a race 
of ugly, weak, near-sighted, selfish, vain, preju- 
diced, ill-tempered, and unwholesome men and 
women. 

"A drunkard is always a liar," says an au- 
thority ; and he might have added that a weak, 
dyspeptic, devitalized man or woman is apt, if not 
certain, to be a shirker, a snarler, a sensualist, a 
sneak, and a coward, or more than one of these. 

And to think of the endless, empty talk, talk, 
talk of the future puling, bald-headed abnormality 
of the cities ! For. with the decay of your real 
man, surely swells the gaseous self-opinion of 



FOR CITY DWELLERS AXD CHILDREX. 151 

voiir weakliiiij. What he loses in stamma, he is 
sure to make up in gab. He will prate correc- 
tion, but do none, either for himself or others. 
He will preach labors and sacrifices he is afraid 
and unable to practise. He will run not only .to 
head, but to the sensual centres. Your big- 
chested, bright-eyed, large-shouldered athlete is 
never a vile sensualist. It is always your pot- 
bellied, purple-fleshed, dew-lapped, soft-handed 
creature, on the one hand, or your pallid, tremu- 
lous, watery-eyed specimen on the other. 

The only use in such men and women is to 
manure the earth, to hold a warning up to his- 
tory, and to be pushed out of the path of the 
strong races, whom they tempt by their luxur}' 
to become their conquerors and successors. 

To make the future American all he ouo'ht to 
be, physically, mentally, and spiritually, we must 
build irvmnasiums as well as schools and churches. 
AVe must honor the teachino; of health and strensftli 
and beauty, as the Greeks did, as well as the teach- 
iuij of books and sciences. We must cover our 
incomparable rivers and lakes with canoes and 
liixht outriir^^ed l)oats, as we are coverino: our bays 
with white-sailed yachts. AVc must see that every 
square fifty yards of clear ice in winter is covered 
with merry skaters (the best of all exercises for 
developing grace) ; and that the vile rinks for 



15-2 KTIIKS OF liOXIXC; AND MANLY SPORT. 

roller-skating, with their atmospheres almost as 
lihliy as their morals, are closed or torn down. 

There ought to be a first, second, and third 
l)rize in every school, public and private, for such 
accomplishments as walkimr, swimminir, runnino-, 
jumpino', boxinir, and climl)in2:. Our scholars 
should 1)0 tauaht to cultivate body as well as 
mind ; to breathe as well as to calculate ; to know 
that strength is as sure to follow exercise as 
knowledge to follow study. Then they will truly 
know the meaning of the wise man (Johnson), 
who said: " Such is the constitution of man that 
labor may be said to be its own reward ; " and of 
the eloquent man (Cicero), who said : "It is ex- 
ercise alone that supports the spirits and keeps 
the mind in viu'or." 



IX. 

CORPULENCE, DIET, AND SLEEP. 

"Physic, for the most part, is nothing else 
but the substitute of exercise and temperance," 
says Addison. 

" The only way for a rich man to be healthy is 
by exercise and abstinence, to live as if he were 
poor," says Sir W. Temple. 



CORPULENCE, DIET, AXD SLEEP 15,3 



( ( 



A hale cobl:>ler," sa^s Bcckerstaff, " is better 
than a sick kino-." 

"111 these days," says Buhver Lytton, "half 
our diseases come from the neglect of the l)ody 
in the overwork of the l)rain. In this railway 
aire the wear and tear of labor and intellect o-q on 
without pause or self-pity. AVe live longer than 
our forefathers ; l)ut we suffer more from a thou- 
sand artificial anxieties and cares. They fatigued 
only the muscles ; we exhaust the finer strength 
of the nerves.'' 

Corpulence is one of the penalties of under- 
exercisinir, under-breathino", over-eatini>', and over- 
drink ino'. 

For the reduction of corpulence, the following 
rules (Dr. T. K. Chtunbers) may 1)e ol)served 
for a three weeks' course : — 

"Kise at 7, rub the body well with liorse-liair gloves, have 
a cold bath, and take a short turn in the open air. Breakfast 
(alone) at 8 or S.oO on the lean of beef or mutton (cutting off 
the fat and skin), dry toast, biscuit, or oat cake, a tumbler of 
claret and water, or tea without milk or sugar, or made in the 
Russian way with a slice of lemon. Lunch at 1 on bread or 
biscuit, Dutch cheese, salad, water cresses, or roasted apples, 
hung beef or anchovies, or red herring or olives, and similar 
relishes. After eating, drink claret and water, or unsweetened 
lemonade, or plain water, in moderation. Dine at any con- 
venient hour. Avoid soup, fish, or pastry, but eat plain meat 
of any sort, except pork, rejecting the fat and skin. Spinach, 
haricots, or any other green vegetable may be taken, but no 
potatoes, made dishes, or sweets. A jelly, or a l(>mon-watPr 



i;)4 ETHICS OF liOXIXG AND MANLY SPOHT. 

ice, or a roast apple, may suffice in their place. Take claret 
and water at dinner, and one glass of sherry or Maderia after- 
wards. Between meals, as a rule, exercise nmst always be 
taken to the extent of inducing perspiration. Kunning, when 
practicable, is the best form in which to take it. Seven or eiuht 
pounds is as much as is prudent to lose during the three weeks. 
If this loss is arrived at sooner, or, indeed, later, the seveiv 
parts of the treatment may be gradually omitted; but it is 
strongly recommended to modify the general habits in accord- 
ance with the principle of taking as small a quantity as possible 
of fat and sugar, or of substances which form fat and sugar, 
and sustaining the respiratory function. By this means the 
weight may be gradually reduced for a few months with safety." 

If ;i man in traininir, or in cveiy-day life, finds 
that lio cannot get off his flesli, and so clear his 
Avind, with the ordinary routine of exercise, cut 
off his sugar and liis potatoes, just to try how it 
acts. ''Witli some digestions, sugar makes no 
difierence,'* says AV. ?>. AVoodford (-'Oars and 
Sculls" ;) witli others an ounce or two of suirar in 
a day makes a pound or so of fat, which, l)iit for 
the sugar, would have turned into muscle. The 
four or five lumps, or spoonfuls, that a man would 
take at breakfast and supper would, with some 
men, put on more fat in one day than a two-mile 
run would take oflV 

For a more permanent reduction of fat, there 
is nothing that can he depended on except a well- 
prescribed regimen, such as that of Bantinir, who 
reduced his weight forty-six pounds, and his bulk 



CORPULENCE, DIET, AND SLEEP. 155 

over twelve inches round the waist, *' and this 
after having vainly tried all that medical aid could 
do for him." Banting's plan consisted in abstaining 
as much as possible "from bread, butter, milk, 
sugar, beer, and potatoes, which had been the 
main (and I thought innocent) elements of my 
existence." At first this looks like sweeping the 
table clean ; but we are reassured by the bill-of- 
fare that remains. " For breakfast," savs Mr. 
Bantino:, " I take four or five ounces of beef, 
mutton, kidnej^s, broiled fish, bacon, or cold 
meat of any kind, except j^orl: ; a large cup of 
tea (without milk or sugar), a little biscuit, or 
some dry toast. For dinner, any fish, except 
salmon, eels, or herrings ; anv meat, except pork ; 
any vegetable except potatoes ; some dry toast ; 
fruit out of a pudding ; any kind of poultry or 
game. For tea : fruit, a rusk or two, or toast, 
and tea without milk or sugar. For supper : 
meat similar to dinner." For alcoholic drinks, 
Mr. Banting only ruled out champagne, port, 
and beer. 

Undoubtedly this regimen has been successful 
in innumeral)le cases. Its author, indeed, de- 
clared that it not only reduced his corpulency, 
but cured him of deafness and other ailments.* 

*A specialist writing on corpulence, says: — ^' A constant 
free indulgence in vegetable foods favors the accumulation of 



l')!) ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY srOKT. 

Sidney Smith, writino: to Lord Murray, said, 
lialf })layfully, " If you wish for anything like 
hai)piness in the fifth act of life, eat and drink 
al){)ut one half of what 3'ou could eat and drink. 
Did I eyer tell you my calculation about eatinir 
and drinkinir? Ilayinir ascertained the weight of 
what I could live upon so as to preserve my health 
and strength, and what I did live upon, I found 
that, between ten and seyenty years of asfe, I had 
eaten and drank forty horse-wairon loads of meat 
and drink more than would have preserved me in 
life and health ! The value of this mass of nour- 



fat. The same may be said of thick soups, sauces and spices, 
puddings, pies, cakes, all sweets, milk, and even water, if 
drunk to excess. Alcoholic and malt liquors are notorious fat- 
producers. The majority of those people who use them contin- 
uously and in considerable quantities, sooner or later show an 
increase in fat. Here a question arises: Is the fat produced 
by alcoholic liquors, such as whiskey, brandy etc., of the same 
character as that put on by malt liquors? It woidd appear that 
there is a difference. Malt liquors do not degenerate the system 
of the indulger as does alcohol, which has rightly been termed 
' the genius of degeneration.' Malt liquors have nutritive prop- 
erties, and they contribute to bodily support. The beer-drinker 
is fat and florid, and within certain limits his fat is wholesome. 
He has an excess of blood, and suffers from what is known as 
plethora, while the tippler of alcohol, sooner or later, suffers 
from aniemia, or poverty of the blood. The following is a mod- 
ification of the various regimens which have been advised by 
different physicians who have closely studied the disease. 
This list is generally accepted by the profession. 

"Foods which may be eaten: Beef tea, mutton broth, 



CORPULENCE, DIET, AND SLEEP. 157 

ishment I consider to be worth seven thousand 
pounds sterling. It occurred to me that I must, 
by my voracity, have starved to death nearly 
one hundred persons ! This is a frightful calcu- 
lation, but irresistibly true ; and I think, dear 
Murray, your wagons would require an addi- 
tional horse each ! " 

Says Shelley, the poet : — 

"On a natural system of diet, old age would be our last 
and oui* only malady; the term of our existence would be pro- 
tracted; we would enjoy life, and no longer preclude others 
from the enjoyment of it; all sensational delights would be 
infinitely more exquisite and perfect ; the very sense of being 
would then be a continued pleasure, such as we now feel it in 
some few and favored moments of our youth. By all that is 
sacred in our hopes for the human race, I conjure those who 
love happiness and truth to give a fair trial to the vegetable 
system. Eeasoning is surely superfluous on a subject whose 
merits an experience of six months would set forever at rest. " 



chicken soup, stewed oysters, beef, mutton, veal, ham, eggs in 
any form, game, poultry, and fish of all kinds, onions, celery, 
cresses, cabbage, tomatoes, radishes, squash, turnips, stale 
bread sparingly, toast sparingly, gluten biscuit, only three 
ounces of breadstuff per day. Grapes and oranges are allowed. 
As much water as the system needs should be indulged. On 
this point no rule can be given. Some people suffering from 
obesity drink but very little water, less, even, than they actually 
need. They should drink more freely. On the other hand, the 
obese person who makes it a habit of drinking several quarts of 
water a clay should lessen the quantity considerably. Tea or 
coffee without milk or sugar is allowed. Sour wines may be 
taken occasionally, but sweet wines are prohibited. If diges- 
tion is reasonably good, none of the articles advised in the fore- 



158 p:tiiics of boxing and manly spokt. 

How to insure sleep has become a matter of 
speculation. Some think early rising is a sover- 
eign remedy. 



Early to bed, and early to rise, 

Make a man healthy and wealthy and wise.' 



There is no need to prescribe recipes for sleep 
to a healthy, well-exercised man or woman. They 
will fall asleep as naturally as they breathe. But 
many persons, whose constitutions are out of gear, 
adopt artificial methods. Says Dr. Smiles : — 

"One tries to sleep by repeating the multiplication table; 
another repeats some bit of well-known poetry, A missionary, 
troubled with sleeplessness, repeated the Lord's Prayer until 
Satan sent him to sleep to get rid of it; and he says that he 
never found that recipe to fail. Another looks at an imagin- 
ary point, and follows it far off in the distance, thus inducinir 
the hypnotism of brain. Some, like Dr. Franklin, believe in 
the air bath, and others in a pillow of hops." 

going will prove burdensome. If there is much dyspepsia, and 
it does not soon disappear under this diet, why, then, the suf- 
ferer nuist refrain from eating what he knows by experience 
aggravates his trouble. Eat slowly and chew the food thor- 
oughly, is a golden rule for all to follow. 

" To regulate the diet is by no means all a fat person must 
do to become thin. He must exercise freely and judiciously. 
Walking is good exercise, if one does enough of it and walks 
properly. If he merely saimters along for four or five miles, 
Avith his hands in his pockets, it will probably do him very 
little good. lie will need to ' make a business' of walking — 
swing his anns, and, in fact, work the whole upper part of his 
body. There is a variety of apparatuses now on sale under the 
names ' home exercises,' ' noiseless chest weights,' etc. One 



CORPULENCE, DIET, AND SLEEP. lo'J 

The following is the method of producing sleep, 
according to Dr. Biuns, in his "Anatomy of 
Sleep " : — 

' How TO Produce Sleep. — Let him tiirn on his right 
side; place his head comfortably on the pillow, so that it ex- 
actly occupies the angle a line drawn from the head to the 
j^houlder woiild form: and then, slightly closing his lips, take 
rather a full inspiration, breathing as much as he possibly can 
through the nostrils. This, however, is not absolutely neces- 
sary, as some persons breathe always through their mouths 
during sleep, and rest as sound as those who do not. Ha^•ing 
taken a full inspiration, the Imigs are then to be left to their 
own action; that is, the respiration is neither to be accelerated 
nor retarded. The attention must now be fixed upon the ac- 
tion in which the patient is engaged. He must depict to him- 
self that he sees the breath passing from his nostrils in a 
continuous stream; and, the verj' instant that he brings his 
mind to conceive this apart from all other ideas, consciousness 
and memory depart, imagination slumbers, fancy becomes 
dormant, thought subdued; the sentiment faculties -lose their 
susceptibility; the vital or ganglionic system assumes the sov- 
ereignty; and, as we before remarked, he no longer wakes, but 
sleeps. This train of phenomena is but the effect of a moment. 
The instant the mind is brought to the contemplation of a 
single sensation, that instant the sensorium abdicts the throne, 
and tlie hji^noctic faculty steeiDS itself in oblivion.*' 



of these can easily be set up in home or office, and very great 
benefit will in a short time follow its use. These contrivances 
are especially adapted to develop the upi^er part of the body. 
Walk to develop the lower part. If one cannot afi'ord a ' home 
gNTiinasium.' which costs from six to ten dollars, let him buy a 
cord of wood, and saw on that for half an hour a day ; he will 
find himself a much better man physically, as well as mentally, 
in a very short time." 



1(50 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY srORT. 

Another method was that followed by Dr. 
Southey. To James AVhite, he said : 

" Follow my practice of making my last employment in the 
day something miconnected with other pnrsnits, and you will 
))e able to lay your head upon a pillow like a child/' 

The late Archbishop Whately, of Dublin, was 
a hard brain-worker, and required a compensating 
amount of sleep. He knew well that the brain 
weakens under continued and protracted lal)or, 
especially at night. Accordingly he adopted a 
method of ensuring sleep and rest. One winter 
day a medical friend accompanied Dr. Field to 
the archbishop's house at Redesdale, Stillorgan. 
The ground was covered with two feet of snow, 
and the thermometer was doAvn almost to zero. 
As the couple of doctors passed they saw an old 
laboring man felling a tree, while a heavy shower 
of sleet drifted pitilessly in his wrinkled face. 
One of them thouii^ht, what a cruel master that 
man nuist have. The other said, " That laborer, 
whom }ou think the victim of prelatical des- 
potism, is no otlier than the archbishop curing 
himself of a headache. AVhen his Grace has 
been reading and writing more than ordinarily, 
and finds any pain or confusion about the cer- 
ebral organization, he puts both to flight by 
rushing out with an ax and slashing away at some 



HINTS FOR TKAINING AND GOOD IIP:ALTII. 1()1 

ponderous trunks. As soon as he finds himself 
in a profuse perspiration he gets into bed, wraps 
himself in Limerick ])lankets, falls into a sound 
slumber and gets up Imoyant." 



X. 

HINTS FOR TRAINING AND GOOD HEALTH. 

Do not run before breakfast : if you want 
exercise, walk. It is well even before a walk to 
take a cup of tea or coffee. 

Before cold bathins: in the mornins:, ^ brisk 
rubbinof down with roua'h o'loves or towel will 
increase the pleasure and efficacy of the bath. 
After bathina* ahvavs a thorough rubbino-. (There 
are rough-silk mittens made by George F. Brown, 
of Boston, which are excellent for both wet and 
dry rubljing.) 

Take a Turkish bath once a fortnio-ht. 

Moderation is the secret of o-ood trainini? and 
good health — moderation in exercise, as well as 
in eating, drinking, and sleep. 

Never sleep on a pillow, unless you are sick, 
and it is ordered for some special reason. Nature 
never intended man, or any other animal, in sleep- 



1()2 i: lines of boxing and manly spout. 

inir to raise the head liiixher than the shoulders. 
Pillows interfere with the breathing, and weaken 
the muscles of the neck. To sleep without a 
pillow, on a perfectly flat mattress, is the luxury 
of rest, because of the natural position. It soon 
increases the orii'th of the neck from one to two 
inches, by making the neck-muscles stretch and 
fully do their work. It allows the chest to deep'::"} 
its breathing; and it prevents, to a large degree 
wakefulness and snorinir. The discomfort of 
putting away the pillow lasts less than a week, 
and once you have tasted the delight of a free, 
level sleep you will never be induced again to 
double your chin down on your breast, or your 
ear over on your shoulder, by using a pillow. 
All children should be told these reasons, and then 
their pillows should be taken away. A horse's or 
a dofif's shoulders are his/her than a man's ; but he 
who wants to sleep well can learn from those 
animals how the head should be laid. 

Go to bed at ten and get up at seven. 

Open your bedroom window, and, if possible, 
make a drauijht throus^h the room, but not across 
your bed. 

Never exercise in a room with closed windows. 

If you have no time for open-air exercise, go 
through various muscular motions with dumb- 
bells in your room, with the windows open, on 



HINTS FOR TRALN'ING AND GOOD HEALTH. 16o 



rising and before lying down. Open-air exercise 
is not indispensable to health.* 

The test of moderation in exercise is fatigue. 
Xever 2:0 on with any muscular exercise when 
you are tired. 

A celebrated physician asked an old man, 
remarkable for his health, what regimen he used. 
" I take only one meal a day," he answered. 
"Keep your secret," said the physician; "if it 
were known and followed, our profession would 
be ruined." 

*Mr. John M. Lafliii, of Xew York, the "model-man"' of 
the Vienna Exposition, is an accomplished athlete, and a cham- 
pion in many lines. For several years he stood in the Paris 
Life School for Gerome and many other famons painters of the 
hnman figure, and he has drawings made by them which show 
him to be one of the few perfectly- formed men. He is six 
feet two and one-half inches in height, with a forty-six inch 
chest, seventeen -inch biceps, and everj' muscle of his body 
equally develoi^ed. He has given lifelong attention to ath- 
letics. He says : — 

" The best of all-round exercises is rowing. It brings all 
the muscles into play, particularly those least used in 
ordinary light exertion. The sliding setit proved to be not only 
a good thing for racing, but a great improver of rowing as an 
exercise. It brings the muscles of the legs, loins, stomach, and 
back into better action. For women nothing is so beneficial as 
rowing. 

" TTsing hea\7^ bells is worse than useless. You can get up 
all the perspiration you want by swinging a one-pomid iron in 
each liand in lively fashion for a minute or two. If you do not 
perspire freely, or are subject to pains in the joints or muscles, 
or your circulation is sluggish, you can attach a battery to the 



1()4 KTIIIC.S OF JU)XK\(J AM) IMANLV Sl'ORT. 

''There is no disease, bodily or mental," says 
Shelley, " which adoption of vegetable diet and 
pure water has not infallibly mitigated where- 
ever the experiment has been fairly tried." I do 
not recommend a vegetable diet, but these ex- 
periences induce thought on the matter of healthy 
food. 

Eat no rich o-ravies, nor meat twice cooked ; and 
eat nothimr fried that you can have broiled. 

Stupid people say "sawing wood is good ex- 
ercise." Remember that good exercise must be 

bells. That is a new idea, and a very good one. An electric bat- 
tery of considerable power can be enclosed in a box not much 
bigger than a well-filled pocket-book. This is hung about the 
neck by a cord, so as to fall upon the breast. Two wires con- 
nect it with the dumb-bells, and when the bells are grasped, a 
regulated current passes through the body, starts the circula- 
tion, and wakes one up generally. The wearer can walk 
around the room swinging the arms, striking in any direction, 
and gettinsf exercise and electricity all at once. If that does 
not start the perspiration nothing will. Another good appara- 
tus, and a cheap one, is a striking-bag. It is easily made. 
Put a ring in the ceiling; tie a stout cord to the ring, and at 
the lower end of the cord fasten a foot-ball, to hang at about 
the height of the chin. To the lower side of the foot-ball 
attach a piece of rubber gas pipe, and make the end fast to a 
ring in the floor. That prevents the. ball from flying all about 
the room when struck, and brings it back quickly. Punching 
that foot-ball is pretty lively work, and the best kind of exer- 
cise for a boxer. Then the rubber straps with handles, which 
can be obtained almost anywhere, give a great variety of exer- 
cise, are inexpensive, and take up no room. With such appar- 
atus a man or woman can have a gjannasium at home, and one 



HINTS FOR TRAIXLNG AXD GOOD HUALTH. ll>5 

i"ecreation (re-creation, or renewal of vigor), and 
there is no recreation in sawinsr wood, or anv 
other la1x)rious occup;ition. 

Remember that pleasure is a means as well as 
an end. The exercise that has in it the element 
of amusement is ten times as healthv as a listless 
walk. 

Xever attempt severe mental or bodily lalx)r 
after a meal. 

K possible take your heavy tasks, mental or 
bodilv, in the forenoon. 

hour out of twenty-four devoted to exercise and mbbing. will 
keep anybody in good condition, and make him healthy and 
cheerftiL if not wealthy and wise. Swimming is one of the 
best of exercises, hut unfortunately the opportunities for indulg- 
ing in the sport are limited. It is good for the arms, legs, back, 
and almost all parts of the frame, and it increases the lung 
power better than anything else. 

'* One need not train like an athlete, and a man does not 
Te«iuire a physique like mine, to be jjerfectlj' healthy; but if 
men and women could be kept healthy for a few generations, 
physical development like mine would be the rule, not the 
exception. Xine-tenths of the diseases that now keep the 
doctors busy would be absolutely unknown. No healthy man 
ever got pnetmionia, no matter what the exposure. Ther>e is 
no case on record of a sailor having pneumonia. This is 
because a sailor s lungs are kept in good order by pure air. and 
he gets plenty of exercise. The amount of exercise necessary 
to keep the body in good condition is less than you might sup- 
pose. Fifteen minutes a day, rightly employed, will do won- 
ders. A person ought to exercise a few minutes in the morn- 
ing, and then take a sponge-bath in salted water, followed by 
vigorous rubbing with hair gloves or a coarse toweL The 



1{M\ KTIIICS OF BOXINa AM) MANLY SPORT. 

Everv niorniiig. in the ()i)en air, till the lungs 
twontv times slowly with fresh uir (inlialin": 
through the nostrils), and expire suddenly 
throuiih the mouth. This will strengthen the 
lungs, renew the resident air, induce a habit of 
deep-breathing, and enlarge the chest. 

The best of all exercises for physical develop- 
ment is all-round glove-boxing, practised with 
skill and temper ; the next best is long swinnning, 
with the over-hand stroke and an occasional 
chana'e of hands ; then follow these exercises 

movements of the muscles start the imimrities to the surface, 
and the bath cleans the pores. The exercise ought to be light. 
I don't believe in exertion that taxes the muscular strength. 
Ileenan and all those old-time athletes thought they must use 
hundred-pound dumb-bells and trot around with great lead 
soles on their shoes. That made them heavy and slow, and 
exhausted their strength needlessly. One-pound dumb-bells 
are heavy enough for anybody, and Indian clubs should not 
■weigh more than four or five pounds at the outside. Gymnasts 
should not use lieaA'y weights at all. What is needed to 
develope muscle is movement, action — not strain. You don't 
train a trotter by hitching him to a loaded coal-cart, and mak- 
ing him drag that around the track. Ilanlan doesn't get into 
a whaleboat for a scull race. The lifting of hea^'y weights is 
bad for a man, and the men who trained themselves to lift a 
ton killed themselves. Over-training and over-exercising of 
any kind is injurious, and that is why college boat-racing is 
not always a good thing. The weakest man in the boat must 
work too hard. A man is only as strong as his weakest point, 
and you put too much strain on him and he will give away at 
tliat point. That is why I advocate light exercise for health. 
The exerciser should never get tired." . 



HINTS FOR TRAINIXG AND GOOD HEALTH. IGT 

which I phice in the order of their excellence : 
river-canoeing (double paddle), shell-rowing, 
hand-ball, lawn-tennis, fencing, walking, and all 
kinds of irvmnasiuni work. 

During exercise, especially in walking, keep 
the abdominal muscles well under the will, so 
that the abdomen may be drawn in, and kept in, 
for any length of time. The abdominal muscle 
is the test of condition. Some people never con- 
trol it ; and from youth to asfe the belly leads 
the man. When the abdominal muscle 2:ets the 
better of a man, he has said good-by to his 
athletics. 



AiNCIENT IRISH ATHLETIC GAMES, 
EXERCISES, AND WEAPONS. 



I. 



THE MUSEUM OF THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY, 

DUBLIX. 

The gladiatorial shows of Rome had corrupted 
and brutalized the world, for, with the exception 
of Ireland, the entire Western world was within 
the Roman Empire. After Ital}', the countries 
most famous for their amphitheatres, were Gaul 
(France), Xortli Africa, and Spain. 

To the honor of Greece, it was the only Roman 
province where the brutalities of the arena were 
never shown or permitted. 

In ancient as in modern times, the Irish, as a 
nation, were devoted to athletic games and skill 
with weapons, and had won extraordinary distinc- 
tion for feats of arms, agility, and strength.* 

* Professor Forbes, of the University of Edinburgli, some 
years ago instituted an extensive series of observations of the 
size and strength of tlie students attending the University. He 
found that the Irish students were the tallest and strongest 
nion. Professor Quetelet, of the University of Brussels, insti- 
tuted similar investigations, covering a number of years, testing 

(169) 



170 ETIIIC8 OF J30XING AND MANLY SFORT. 

The games and athletic exercises of ancient 
Ireland ouirht to have a laru^e volume devoted to 
them. They are unlike those of all other nations, 
though least unlike tho:?e of Greece. They pos- 
sess extraordinary archaeological and ethnological 
value. 

It is sincerely to be hoped that some student 
of Irish antiquities will soon follow in the 
lighted footsteps of Prof. Eugene O'Curry, Dr. 
O'Donovan, and Sir William Wilde. 

the quality of Belgians, Englishmen, Scotchmen, and Irishmen. 
He found the average height of the Belgian to be sixty-eight 
inches, of the Englishman sixty-eight and one half, of the 
Scotchman sixty-nine, and of the Irishman seventy inches; 
that the average weight in pounds of the Belgian was one hun- 
dred and fifty pounds, of the Englishman one himdred and 
fifty-one, of the Scotchman one hundred and fifty-two, and of 
the Irishman one himdred and fifty-five pounds; and that the 
average strength as indicated by a blow given to the plate of a 
spring dynamometer, in pounds, was, of the Belgian, three 
hundred and thirty-nine pounds, of the Englishman four hun- 
dred and three pounds, of the Scotchman, four hundred and 
twenty-three pounds, and of the Irishman, four hundred and 
thirty-two pounds. 

"The Irish are thus," says Sir Kobert Kane, L.L.D., "the 
tallest, strongest, and heaviest of the four races." And Sir 
Robert Kane adds, "Mr. Field, an eminent mechanical engi- 
neer of London, had occasion to examine the relative powers 
of British and Irish laborers to raise weights by means of a 
crane. He communicated his results to the Institute of Civil 
Engineers in London. He found that the. utmost efforts of a 
man, lifting at the rate of one foot per minute, ranged in 
Englishmen from eleven thousand five hundred and five to 



MUSEUM OF THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY. 171 

« 

O'Curry's great work *' On the Manners and 
Customs of the Ancient Irish " is a mine of infor- 
mation for the archivoloizical scholars of all times 
and nations : as are the works of Dr. Petrie, 
Prof. Sullivan, Dr. P. ^y. Joyce, Lady ^Vilde, 
Prof. Whitle}' Stokes, and others. 

It may be well to sav here that a wonderfully 
interesting collection of the ancient weapons, 
mentioned in this article, may be seen in Ireland. 

twenty-fom- thousand two liiuidred and fifty-five pounds, 
and in Irislunen from seventeen thousand three himdred and 
twenty-five to twenty-seven thousand five hundred and sixty- 
two pounds. I have no reason to doubt that these figures rej)- 
resent the existing conditions of these respective populations. 
Those experiments were carefidly made at the time, and the 
results were as given."' 

Sir John Davies, an eminent Englishman, who was Attor- 
ney-General of Ireland in 1616, in his " Historical Tracts,"' 
says, '• The bodies and minds of the Irish people are imbued 
with exti^aordinaiy abilities by nature."" 

At the present day the most famous athletes of the world 
are of Irish birth or extraction. They hold the highest j^laces 
on record in almost everj' branch of athletic sport, both ama- 
teur and professional. Bicycle-riding alone seems to be the 
athletic exercise least attractive to men of the Irish race, at 
least in America; though Con. D^\•5•er, an Irishman, is the 
champion amateur bicycle-rider of all the Australasian 
colonies. 

In swimming, for one hmidred and five hundred yards, 
J. Haggerty, an Irishman, beat Chas. Beckwith in London, in 
May, 1S8T, and won the world's championship. The best 
under- water swimmer in the world is T. W. Reiily, who won 
the championship at Stockport, England, in Jidy, 1S87; in 



^^■2 KTIIirS OF l'.()\I\(} AM) MANLY SPOUT. 

Sir AA'illiam Wilde says: ''The largest, most 
varied, most highly-decorated collection of bronze 
weapons existing is to be found in our museum 
[Royal Irish Academy, Du])lin], along with 
numerous specimens of the moulds in which they 
were cast, discovered on the very spot where the 
ancient workman had lit his furnace." 

America, the three best swimmers are T. Riley, R. P. Magee, 
and C. Dunlevy. 

Edward Ilanlan, an Irish-Canadian, of Toronto, was the 
sculHng champion of the world, till lie was beaten in Australia 
in November, 1887, by W. Beach, an Irish- Australian. 

In coUar-and-elbow wrestling, J. 11. McLaughlin is the 
champion of the United States; and in Graeco-Roman wrest- 
ling, the United States championship is disputed by Wm. Mul- 
doon and Denis Gallagher; while John Connor who held the 
championship of the Australian Colonies, yielded it up in May, 
1887, to T. Cannon, another Irish- Australian. 

The champion high-jumper of Australia is J. W. Byrne, 
who also holds the record for the hop-step- and -jump (forty- 
three feet eight and one-half inches) ; but the champion of the 
world for a hoi>step-and-jump is J. Purcell, of Ireland, who, at 
Limerick, in June, 1887, cleared forty-eight feet three inches. 
On the same ground, September, 1887, J. S. Mitchell threw the 
sixteen-pound hammer one hundred and twenty-four feet and 
one half inch, the best amateur throw ever made. He also 
threw the fifty-six-pound hammer thirteen feet and one half 
inch high. 

The Shamrock Lacrosse Club, all Irish-Canadians, holds the 
championship of Canada for years past. 

The hand-ball championship of the world is held by Phil, 
Casey, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who beat the former champion, J. 
Lawler, of Dublin, Ireland, in August, 1887. 

G. Tracy, of Halifax, is champion amateur half-mile runner 



"MUSEUM OF THP: ROYAL HUSH ACADEMY. 173 

This effectively disposes of the verdict of Pro- 
fessor Lindenschmidt, of Mayence, who asserted, 
in one of his earlier works, that " all the bronze 
articles found north of the Alps were imported 
from Etruria." 

Again, sa3^s Sir William AVilde ("Ancient 
Races of Ireland"') : "Ireland possesses not only 
the largest native collection of metal weapon- 

of Canada (Halifax, 1887, two minutes one and three-fifths 
seconds). 

In boxing, there is no need to say that the Irisli race has the 
best men in tlie world. John L. Sullivan is the hea\*^'- weight 
champion of the world. Jem Smith, an Anglo-Irishman, is 
the heavy-weight champion of England, and next to him is 
Charles Mitchell, also of Irish jDarents. In America, John, or 
"Jake,"' Kilrain stands next to Sullivan, and John Dempsey 
is the middle-weight champion of the world. Jem Carney, an 
Anglo-Irishman, is the light-weight champion of the world. 

Among the greatest walkers, for speed and distance ever 
known in America, are Daniel O'Leary, John Ennis, and 
Patrick Fitzgerald. The champion walker of Australia, Scott, 
is an Irishman. LaAvrence Foley, an Irishman, is the cham- 
pion lieaA-j-- weight boxer of Australia: and Irish- Australians 
are the leading athletes in cricket, foot-ball, and rowing clubs. 
The best runner Australia ever had. Bob Watson, was an Irish- 
man; and among the most famous professional oarsmen of 
Australia are the names of Ilickey, Punch, Rush, Clifford, and 
Matheson, all Irishmen, or sons of Irishmen. 

Among base-ball players of the highest order in America, 
the names of Irish- Americans have the foremost places, and 
they are too numerous to mention. Michael J. Kelly is the 
leading player of America. There is, in fact, no branch of 
athletics in which Irishmen, or the sons of Irishmen, do not 
hold the first places against all the world. 



174 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

tools, usually denominated 'celts,' of any country 
in the world, but the second larirest amount of 

* — ' 

swords and battle-axes. And, moreover, these, 
and all the other ancient metal articles of Ireland, 
show a well-defined rise and development from 
the simplest and rudest form in size and use to 
that of the most elaborately constructed and the 
most beautifully adorned." 

The time is approaching Avhen this marvellous 
collection of antiquities will be a centre of world- 
interest, especially to those of Irish or Celtic 
extraction. An Irish-American traveller from 
Boston, last year, a scholar and observer, declared 
on his return that the most interestinsr and in- 
structive day he had spent in any European 
country was that on which he had visited the 
Museum of the Royal Irish Academy. 



II. 

THE MOST ANCIENT WEAPONS USED IN IRELAND. 

The weapons and armor of the ancient Irish 
were, in the main, like those of the Greeks, with 
a greater variety in the length and shape of both 
spear and sword, 

"In the year of the world 4465," translatincr 



ANCIENT AVEAPONS USED IN IKELAND. 175 

from the ''Book of Leinster," " died the monarch 
Luo'haidh Laiahiie, of the line of Eber, after a 
reisfii of seven years. He was the first that made 
bronze and bronze spears in Erinn." 

"The stone man," savs Prof, ^y . K. Sullivan, 
Ph.D., Secretary of the Roval Irish Academy, 
•' appeared before the bronze man, and the latter 
before the iron man. A^'herever a bronze spear, 
or other implement of the same nature, was found, 
a Celt had passed there ; an iron weapon was a 
sure mark of the footsteps of an Anglo-Saxon, or 
some other branch of the a'reat Teutonic stem." 

Without entering on the rich question of the 
analyses of bronzes, it is enouirh to state that 
ancient weapons of true bronze, and of bronzes 
more or less mixed with tin and lead, have been 
found in Ireland in great abundance. The spears 
of the Tuatha De Danann (1200 b. c), however, 
are described as " sharp, thin, and hard,'' which, 
prol)ably, means that they were of iron. 

From the earliest records, relatimr to the bat- 
ties between the Firbolgs (Ireland's primitive 
people) and the Tuatha De Danann (the battle of 
Mairh Tuireadh, between the Firbolo-s and the 
Tuatha De Danann, was fought b. c. 1272), we 
learn that the accoutrements of a Fn-bolir warrior 
going to the field were "a hooked shield"; two 
croisecks, or thick-handled spears, for thrusting; 



i7() ETHICS or liOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 



a sword ; a club, or mace (see page 
191); and a square helmet: while a 
chief of the Tuatha De Danann used a 
shield, a sword, and two spears. 

The craiseclL of the Firboli^; was a 
l)ointless spear, rounded and sharpened 
on the fvowicCi^G^ and fastened to its pole 
by rivets. The spear of the Tuatha De 
Danann was " thin-pointed and sharp," 
and the sword "hard and sharp." 

Whence the Tuatha De Danann came 
to Ireland has not been settled. They 
were a highly-civilized peo})le. They 

conquered the Fir- 
bolirs, and ruled Ire- 
land for two cen- 
turies, till conquered 
in their turn l)v the 
]\Iilesians, who came 
from Spain. (An- 
cient Irish annalists 
call them Scythians.) 
All these weapons 
were made of fine 
bronze, as were all 
the weapons of the 
Irish down to about 
FiRBOLo cRAisECH. tiic Lliristian era. dan. swuud. 




ANCIENT WEAPONS USED IN IRELAND. 177 

The ancient Irish, also, used slighter, pointed 
spears (the slegh and the Jaiglivi) for both thrust- 
ing and throwing ; some splendid bronze speci- 
mens of these are preserved in the Museum of 
the Eoyal Irish Academy. 




No. 3. —BRONZE SWORD. 

(Similar weapon used by ancient Romans, Scandinavians and Irish.) 

The weapons mentioned as having been used in 
the first battle of ]\Iagh Tuireadh (b. c. 1272) are 
the craisech, or pointless spear; the Jiarlanna, or 
curved, pointless blade (see Xo. 31, page 209) ; 
swords and maces ; the nianais, or broad thi'ust- 
ing spear (see pp. 18 G, 187 and 217) ; the sler/h, or 
pointed casting-spear (see pages 226 and 227). 
Later, we find the fogha, or short spear; the 
saighead-bohj, or belly-dart ; and the lic-taihne, 
or sling-stone (see page 196). 

Besides this latter curious missile (doubtless 
exactly like that with which David killed Goliath), 
the Irish used a round stone for throwing, which 
they carried in a strap inside their shields. 

In the vear B. c. 307 there was added "the 
broad green spear," undoubtedly of green bronze 
(see Xo. 32, page 216) ; and in b. c. 123, at 
the battle of Ath Comair, we find the lia lamha 
lakh, or champion's hand-stone. (See next page.) 



178 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPOKT. 



( i 



It is reiiiarku])le/' savs 
Professor O'Curry, " that 
in none of the more an- 
cient historical or romantic 
tracts of Ireland is there 
any allusion whatever to 
bows and arrows ; and what 
is moreremarkal)le and im- 
portant, there is no model 
found for them among the 
other stone and metal weap- 
ons which have come down 
from the ancient times, 
either in Erinn or an}' of 
the neighboring countries. 
jS"o barbed instrument in 
ordinary stone or bronze 
has yet been discovered ; 
nor has there been ever 
found in Erinn, as far as 
we know, a flint arrow- 
head in company with any 
one or more bronze spears, 

or CHAMPIONS IIA.ND-STOXE. J.^.tS, OrSWOrds." 

The sword, spear, javelin, and shield continued 
m use in Ireland for at least two thousand vears. 
They were the only weapons of offence and de- 
fence in St. Patrick's time (a. d. 432), and they 
were the arms of the Irish in the Danish Invasion 




No. 4. 

LIA LA-MUA LAKII. 



ANCIENT WEAPONS USED IN IRELAND. 



179 



(about the year 820), when the first 
notice is made of the use of battle-axes 
and bows and arrows in Ireland. 

Chaucer bears witness that the Irish 



No. 5 No. 6. No. 7. 

TUATHA DE DANANN SWORDS.— Described as " hard and sharp." 

allies of Bruce, on the field of Bannockburn 
(a. D. 1314), knew the use of bow and arrow, 
for, in apology for the English defeat, he writes ; 

"To the Scots we would not yield, 
But Irish bowmen swept the field." 



180 ETillCS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

A very interesting Irish ^veapon, specimens of 
which are found in irreat al)an(lance all over the 
countrv, in stone and bronze, is conniionlv called 
a " celt," or " ])alstave." This weapon was obvi- 
ously a battle-axe, — though it is not easy to find 





No. 8. . No. 9. 

BROXZE BATTLE-AXES, CALLED "CELTS.". 

the manner of fastening the handle to those with- 
out eyes, — while again, others have a straight 
socket, as if they had been used as spear-heads. 
These latter (Xos. 13, U, and 15, p. LS2) are 
probably Tuatha de Danann weapons, while the 
others (Xos. 8, H, 10, 11, 12, and IG, pp. 180, 
181, and 183) are of Firbolg origin. 



ANCIEXT WEAPONS USED 1\ IllELAND. 181 

The axes Xos. 11 and 12 (page 181), represent 
the weapon called a "palstave," by British anti- 
qi>arians, and a 2:>cicdstab , hy German writers; but 
this is certainly wrong, as the name implies a 
pointed instrument, and not an axe. The old 
^QVHQpdlstaJir was a harpoon, 






No. 10. No. n. No. 12. 

BRONZE BATTLE-AXES, OR " CELTS, 



1^ » 



Figures 8 to IG embrace all the forms of battle- 
axe used in ancient Ireland, except the sjjardha, 
which was a spear and axe combined, and closely 
resembled the piked axe of the last two centuries. 

The royal seal on page 184 (Xo. 17) is interest- 



182 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPOKT. 

ing on several accounts besides that for which it 
is used here, which is merely the shape of the 
king's sword. It will he seen that this weapon 
corresponds in blade with the ancient 1)ronze 
sword (Xo. 3, page 177), and with the still 
more ancient blades of the Tuatha De Danann 






No. 13. No. 14. No. 15. 

BROKZE BATTLE-AXES, OK "CELTS." 

(Xos. 5, 6, and 7, page 179). The latter swords, 
judging from the rivet-holes, had, probably, cross- 
hilts. 

The history of this antique seal is very interest- 
ing. The following, from the "Proceedings of 
the Royal Irish Academy," Vol. IV., pp. 484-5 
(25th Fe])ruary, 1850), will suffice:— 



(( 



Sir William Betham oxhibited an impression of an ancient 
seal, lately found near Beverley, in Yorkshire, on which is rei> 



ANCIENT WEAPONS USED IN IRELAND. 183 

resented a mounted cavalier, with a very long sword drawn in 
his hand, round which is the following inscription : — 

'S. BRIEX REGIS. DE KESEL. EOGAIN.' 




No. 16. 
FIRBOLG BATTLE-AXE.— BronZB. 

"Brian O'Neill was King of Cineal Eoghain (Kinel Owen, 
or TjTone) from a. d. 1241 to 1260, when, along with many 
others of the Irish chieftians, he was slain iu the battle of 



184 



ETHICS OF liOXIXG AXD MANLY SPORT. 



Druim Dearg (i. e., of the lied Hill, or Rid<,'o, now Down). 
His liead was cut off, and sent to England to King Henry III. ; 
and probably this seal fell into the hands of the English vic- 
tors, who carried it to England, and this accounts for its being 
found in Yorkshire." 




No. 17. 
AVOIENT lUISH SEAL. 

Found in Yorkshire, Enoland. 



Sir Eichard Cox, in liis - Ilibeniia Anglicana '' 
(p. (39), states that this l)attle was f()u«rht in the 
streets of Down. I lis words are : " :ManY of tlie 
Irish chiefs were slain, namely, Brian O'Xeill, the 
chief of Ireland [Macgeoghan's translation calls 
him Alnr/ of the Irhh of Ireland], and fifteen 
chiefs of the family of O'Cathain (O'Kane) were 
slam on the field." 



THE AVEAP02S-IEATS OF CUCHULLIN. 185 



III. 

THE WEAPON-FEATS OF CUCHULLIX. 

CucHULLix, or CucliLillain (literally the hound 
of ChuUin) , was the renowned champion of his 
time (a. m. 4480). He was not only the ablest 
soldier, but the best hurler in Ireland ; and after 
his visit to a famous war-college in Alba, or 
Scotland, the head of which was, strange to 
say, a woman, named Scathach, he became the 
ofreatest " all-round" athlete in the Celtic world. 
Scathach taught him various feats (^cleasa) of 
championship, which are thus enumerated in a 
very ancient Gaelic tale called " The Courtship of 
Emer, and the Education of Cuchullain : " 

^^Ubhall-cleas^ the ball-feat; faebhar-cleas, the small, sharp- 
edged shield-feat; Torand-cleas, the thunder-feat, which was 
performed with the war-chariot; faen-cleas, the prostrate feat, 
which I cannot explain; cleas-clitenech, the dart-feat; ted-cleas, 
the rope-feat; the cleas-cait, the cat-feat, of which I know 
nothing; the coriech n-errid, or champion's salmon-sault or 
leap; the imardior n-delend, or proper carrying of the chariot- 
eer's whip; the leim-dar-n-eimh, the leap over a fence (?); the 
fiUiud erred nair, the whirl of a valiant champion; the gae- 
bolga, or feat of throwing the belly-dart; the hai-braisse, liter- 
ally sudden death (?) ; the roth-clcas, wheel-feat, something like 
casting the sledge of the present day; the othar-cleas, invali- 



186 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

dating feat, as well as I can understand the term; the chasfor 
analaiUi, literally 'the feat of the breathings;' the hruid-gin^, 



No. 18. No. li). 

MANAIS — nEAUTlFlL BRO>Zn SPEARS, TUATIIA DI3 DANAXN. 

(See page 177.) 

litej-ally 'gnashing of the month/ as well as I can miderstand 
it; the sian-cnuradh, or champion's war-whoop; the helm co 



THE WEAPON-FEATS OF CUCHULLIN. 187 

fcnnns, cutting off an opponent's hair with the sword; the 
taith-beim, 'vertical stroke,' which fixed an antagonist to the 
ground; the fodh-beim, ' sod-blow,' by which the sod was cut, in 
contempt, from under the feet of an antagonist by a stroke of 
the sword [hence, undoubtedly, the common Irish phrase, "cut- 
ting the ground from under his feet"] ; the dreimfri foghiiist, 






No. 20. No. 21. No. 22. 

MANAIS — TUATHA DE DANAJTN SPEAKS, BRONZE. 

(See page 177.) 

climbing a rock; the fonaidhm niadhfor rinnibh slecjh, 'coiling 
of a champion around the blades of upright spears ; ' and the 
carhad-searrdha, the feat of the armed or scythed war- 
chariot." 

Surely, the man who " hekl the record," in 
modern sporting parlance, for all these feats, de- 



188 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MAXLY SPORT. 

served to be called the champion of Ireland. 
The Gaelic tale from which this detail is taken, 
also states that the feats of championship which 
distinguished the Knights of Emania (the ancient 
capital city of Ulster, where stood the majestic 
Craehh-EJniadh, or House of the Royal Branch) 
were limited to three, namely: the feat with 
darts, the feat with ])alls, and the feat with edged 
weapons, {fcehhar-deas) such as knives, swords, 
and sharp-edged shields. 

Many, if not all, of these feats, were not re- 
garded as feats of arms intended for actual use in 
coml)at, hut were merely ornamental accomplish- 
ments and proofs of skill. 

In the Brehon Laws (the great Celtic code 
observed by the Irish people from the earliest 
historical days down to the year IGOO) is particu- 
larly enacted the education of the different social 
classes, under the law of *' Fosterage and Tutor- 
age *' ; and here we learn that the sons of kimrs 
and chiefs were taught " riding, swimming, chess, 
draughts, or backgammon ; with the use of the 
sword, spear, and all other weapons offensive and 
defensive." 



MILITARY ATHLETES OF IRELAND. 189 



ly. 

MILITARY ATHLETES OF ANCIENT IRELAND. 

There is no reliable authority for the existence 
of any national military organization or profession 
of fighting-men in Ireland, other than chiefs, 
down to the reiirn of Conn " of the hundred 
battles," who w^as monarch at Tara from a. d. 
123 to 157, in which year he was slain. Still, 
it is stated that Conn himself came to the throne 
from the command of the celebrated national 
militia, popularly know^n as the Fianna Eireann, 
of whom Finn Mac Cumhaill, and his father, 
Cumhall, w^ere the most famous commanders. 

This militia of ancient Ireland is highly inter- 
esting in the history of athletics. Its members 
w^ere tested athletes to a man, and their prepara- 
tion and competition for enlistment were most 
arduous and remarkable. 

The name Fianna (hence the modern Fenians) 
is explained in an antique glossary preserved in a 
volume of Brehon Laws. This is the translation 
from the Gaelic : — 

^^ Fianna, a Venatione, id est. It was from the hunting 
which they practised they were so named. Or, Fianna, that is 



190 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY ^POIIT. 

fineadlia (families) because it was in tribes they were fornu'il. 
Or, Jianua, that is fehineailha (chami)ions) because they were 
the champions of tlie Monarch of Erinn." 

In a poem, written in Gaelic, ])y a bard named 
Cineadh Ollartairan, in 975 a. d., while tlie 
remains of the ro^'al palace at Tara were still 
distmct and intact, and while the written history 
of that famous hill was still clear and abundant, 
there is a description of a spacious barrack, at 
Tara, where seventv-five hundred of the Fkuina 
Avere Iodized . 

The foUowinii- are the stanzas of this most curi- 
ous poem, which refer to the barrack at Tara : — 



" The great house of thousands of soldiers, — 
To generations it was widely known; 
A beautiful fortress of brave men; 
Seven hundred feet was its length. 

It was not filled with the foolish and ignorant, 
Xor over-crowded with the wily and arrogant; 
It was a large work to plan its divisions: 
Six times five cubits was its height. 

The King had his place there, the King of Erinn, 
Around whom the fairest wine was distributed. 
It was a fortress, a castle, a wonder; 
There were three times fifty compartments in it. 

Three times fifty champions with swords 
(No weak defence for a fortress), 
That was the number, among the wonders, 
Which occupied each compartment." 

The whole of this highly interesting poem is 



MILITARY ATHLETES OF IRELAND. 191 

published in Dr. Petrie's ** Antiquities of Tara," 
a work that ouo'ht to be found in all our larire 
American libraries. 

In A. D. 1024, died a poet named Cuan O'Loth- 
chain, who had also written about the oreat 




No. 23. 
BRONZE MACE. (See page 176. 

barrack at Tara. Here is the stanza relatins: to 
it: — 

" I speak farther of the fortress of the champions; 

(Which was also called the fortress of foolish women) ; 
The house of the champions was not a weak one, 
With its fourteen opening doors." 

The best account of the Fianna Eireann is 
given b}^ the Kev. Dr. Geoffrey Keatin^^, in his 



Iii2 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT 

well-known abstract of the History of Ireland, 
(written in the native Gaelic, about the year 
1030, and translated into Enirlish about one 
hundred and thirty years airo). 
• Dr. Keating had l)efore him numerous invalua- 
ble Irish records and books of great antiquity, 
many of which have since been destroyed or carried 
off by the English conquerors, whose policy has 
always been to obliterate every record of Ireland's 
national greatness and ancient culture, and cast 
discredit and ridicule on what could not be con- 
troverted. I may here quote a striking para- 
graph from Prof. O'Curry's work on "The 
Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish." (Vol. 
2, page 354) : — 

"It is very unfortunate that the important poem liere 
referred to [an ancient GaeUc poem mentioned in the ' Ogygia,' 
describing an Irish scliool of war in tlie third century] is not to 
be found in any of tlie MS. collections known to us ; it is only 
known to exist among those locked up in England in the cus- 
tody of Lord Ashburnham, by whom Irish scholars are not per- 
mitted to examine treasures properly belonging to our own peo- 
ple; but the legal ownership of which is at present, unhappily 
vested in a stranger, unsympathizing alike with our pursuits as 
Irishmen, and with those of the Uterary world at large. In this 
poem there is, probably, much calculated to throw light on the 
subject of education in ancient Erinn." 

Prof. O'Curry's work was pul)lished in London 
in 1873; and this precious Irish MS., locked up 
by an ignorant English lord, has never seen the 
light to this day. 



MILITARY ATHLETES OF IRELAND. 193 

Dr. Keatinir wrote from books existino^ in his 
time. He says, quoting from the ' ' Leahhar-na-h- 
Ua Chom/hJiala,'' or •• Book of Xavan*' : — 

'"The Monarch of Eriiiii (Cormac MacAirt) appointed an 
army over tlie men of Erinn. and over it he appointed three 
times fifty royal Feinlan otficers, and he gave the command 
of the Tvhole and the High 8tev/ardship of Erinn to Finn Ua 
Baiscne.'' 

The Fianna had a tixed stipend ; l)ut from May 
to Xovember they had to support themselves by 
huntioir. Their life was one of extreme absti- 
nence and exercise. Their duty in peace times 
was that of a national police : "to check thieves, 
to enforce the payment of taxes, to check outlaws, 
and all other evils which mav affect the countrv." 

After a Ions: chase, before eatino", thev invari- 
ably bathed, " and then began to supply their 
sinews and thews (by gentle exercise), until they 
had in this manner put off from them their fatigue, 
after which they ate their meal." 

There were several conditions which everv man 
who was received into the Fianna was obliged to 
fulfill : — 

'"The first condition ^vas, that he should not accept any 
fortmie with a wife, but select her for her moral conduct and 
her accomplishments. 

•" The second was, that he should noi insult any woman. 

'• The third was, that he should not refuse any person ask- 
ing for food. 



194 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

" The fourth was, that he should not turn his back on (that 
is, fly from) any less than nine foemen," 

" Additional conditions Finn Mac Cumhaill attached to the 
military degrees, which every man was obliged to accept before 
he was received into tlie Fianna. 

" The first was, tliat no person was admitted into them at the 
great meetings of Uisneach, nor at the fair of Tailten, nor at 
the feast of Tara, until his father and mother and relatives 
gave security that they would never avenge his deatli on 
another person, in order tliat he should not expect any one to 
avenge him but himself, and no matter what evils he miglit 
conunit, that liis friends were not to be sued for them. 

"The second condition was, that candidates should have 
read the Twelve Books of Philosophy, or Poetry. 

" The third condition was, that no man was received into 
the Fianna until a wide pit had been dug for him, in which he 
was to stand up to his knees, with his shield in one hand, and 
a liazel stake, the length of the champion's arm, in the other. 
Xine warriors armed with nine slcjlis (or spears), came to within 
the distance of nine ridges (of ground) of him, and these used 
to throw their nine spears all at once at him; and sliould he be 
wounded despite the shield and the hazel staff, he was not 
received into the order of the Fianna. 

" The fourth condition, no man was received into the Fianna 
until his hair was first plaited, and until he was then chased by 
selected runners through a forest, the distance between them at 
the start being but one tree. If they came up with him, he 
could not be taken into the Fianna. 

" The fifth condition, no man was received into the Fianna if 
the weapons trembled in his hands. 

" The sixth condition, no man was received into the Fianna 
if a single braid of his hair had been loosened out of its plait 
by a branch in the wood (as lie ran through it). 

" The seventh condition, no man was received into the 
Fianna whose foot had broken a Avithered branch in his course. 
(This to insure light and watchful runners.) 

" The eighth condition, no man was received into the Fianna 



THE CHIEF GAME OF ANCIENT IRELAND. 195 

unless he could jump over (the branch of) a tree as high as his 
head, and stoop under one as low as his knee, through the 
agility of his body. 

" The ninth condition, no man was received into the Fianna 
imless he could pluck a thorn out of his heel with his hand 
without coming to a stand. 

" The tenth condition, no man was received into the Fianna 
imtil he had first sworn fidelity and obedience to the king (or 
commander) of the Fianna." 

This famous body of military athletes continued 
to 1)6 the national guard of Ireland till they were 
annihilated, at the battle of Gabhra, by Cairbre 
and his forces, a. d. 284. 



V. 



HURLING : THE CHIEF GAME OF ANCIENT 

IRELAND. 

The chief game, or sport, of the ancient Irish 
was hurling. For over a century past, even this 
game, and others, like football, wrestling, boxing, 
etc., have been discountenanced by the English 
rulers, whose object has ever been to unman and 
deirrade Irishmen until io-norance of conflict, even 
in sport, had robbed them of self-confidence and 
fitted them for the position of hopeless subjection 
designed for them. But within a few years, all 



V,H) ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPOliT. 

over Ireland, the ancient games have been re- 
vived ; and now there is a hurling club in almost 
every i)arish in Ireland. 

Tailten and Carman (now AYexford, or near 
the present town of ^Vexford) were the two prin- 
cipal places in ancient Ireland most celebrated 
for irames. 





No. 24. No. 25. 

STUIC, OR IRISH WAR-HORN. HC-TAILME, OR SLING-STONE. 

(See page 177.) 

Hurling, iomain (pronounced imman), was the 
great out -door game of the ancient Irish. lo- 
manu'idhe (pronounced iommcnee) was the hurler, 
or driver ; for it siirnifies that, also. The nfoal was 
called baire (pronounced as spelled). The hurl 



i 



THE CHIEF GAME OF ANCIENT IRELAND. 197 

was caman (pronoancecl as spelled ; the a loiipf) . 
All throuo'h ancient Gaelic literature there is con- 
stant mention of hurlins^. 

The following is a description of a game of 
hurlino', from one of the best of the Ossianic tales, 
*'.Tlie Pursuit of Diarmuid and Grainne," trans- 
lated and pul)lished in Dublin, in 1880, by the 
Society for the Preservation of the Irish Lan- 
o^uao^e : — 

" There arose a dispute bet^'een two women of the Tuatha 
De Danann, that is, Aoife, the daugliter of Mananan, and 
Aine, tlie other daugliter of Mananan, the son of Lear, viz. : 
Aoife had become enamoured of the son of Lughaidh, that is, 
sister's son to Fionn Mac Cumliaill, and Aine had become 
enamoured of Lear, of Lith Fhionnchaidh, so that each woman 
of them said that her own man was a better hurler than tlie 
other; and the fruit of the dispute was tliat a great goaling 
matcli was set in order between the Tuatlia De Danann and 
the Fenians of Erin, and the place wliere the goal was played 
was on a fair plain by Loch Lein, of the rough pools. 

"The Fenians of Erin and Tuatha De Danann answered 
that tiyste. . . . We, the Fenians of Erin, and they were for 
the space of three days and three nights playing the goal from 
Garbhabha na bh-Fiann, which is called Leamhaw, to Crom- 
ghleann na bh-Fiann, which is called Gleann Fleisge now; and 
neither (party) of us won a goal. Xow (the Avhole of) the 
Tuatha De Danann were all that time, without om* knowledge, 
on either side of Loch Lein, and they understood that if we, 
the Fenians, were united (all) the men of Erin could not win 
the goal of us. And the council which the Tuatha De Danann 
took, was to depart each again, and not to play (out) that goal 
with us." 

The first thing we hear about both Cuchullain 



198 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPOKT. 

and Finn, the ij^reat chiefs, is in connection with 
hurling, when they w^ere mere chihh-en. 

Mr. T. O'Xeill Russell, in an interesting letter 
to nie on this subject, says : — 

" I find from a very old man from the county Clare, that in 
his time, ' and ever and ahvays afore him,' great games of 
hurley, between counties or parishes, were played with twenty- 




No. 26. 
MILITARY FORK. Distinctly Irish weapon (iron; drawing one-third 

the actual size). 



one men on each side, — mor-sheisir air lar, mdr-sheisir air 
(j-cul, a's 7ndr-!<heisir air fuadach ; that is, 'seven (literally a 
big six) in the middle.' " 

" In the ' liook of Rights,' it is recorded, that comain, or 
hurleys, are mentioned among some of the presents from the 



THE CHIEF GAME OF AXCIEXT IRELAXD. 199 



Arcli King to his clients. Foot-ball and liand-ball do not 
seem to have been practised ; and I do not remember to have 




No. 27. 
MILITARY FORK. (Iron; one-third actual size.) 

seen any mention of boxing or wrestling;* but the former 
sm-ely was known, for in the 'Death of Cuchullain,' in the 

* The following extract from a very ancient Gaelic book, 
" The pm^suit of Diarmuid and Graiiine,' shows that wrestling, 



'200 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

'Book of Leinster,' that chieftain is said to have given cne of 
his assailants a blow of his fist, which knocked out his brains." 

''Xext to hurling, the great out-door sport of ancient Ire- 
land was horse-racing. Tailteu and Carman were the places 
for it. There is much mention of horse-racing, a 'sport for 
kings '; but I am glad to say that there is no mention of betthi;/ 
at horse-races at all; but the Irish are mentioned as betting at 
chess, and betting heavily, too. 

"As for hunting, Irish MSS. are full of it. The game most 
mentioned — in fact, the only game mentioned — is the deer. 
The usual way of hunting was with hounds. There are the 
names of more than a hundred hounds given in one of the 
Ossianic poems I have. The boar is, to my knowledge, only 
once mentioned, and that is in the 'Boyish Exploits of Finn,' 
where he is said to have killed a fierce, wild boar, and presented 
his first wife with its head. Chariot -racing was much prac- 
tised. I do not remember any book in which there is any 
particular account of it ; but I remember to have seen it 
mentioned in many places. Swimming is often mentioned. 
Another of Finn's hoyiah exploits was to drown nine boys who 
enticed him to swim with them in order that tlicu might drown 
Mm. There is, also, some mention of boat-racing, but not 
very much. So nuich was the deer limited, that, in many parts 
of Ireland, a hunt is still called fiach instead of seilgj pro- 



at least, was practised ; and that the ' cross-buttock ' was as 
well known in ancient as in modern Ireland : '" — 

"Then, said Dubh-Chosach, that he, himself, would go to 
fight with Diarmuid. . . . Then he and Diarmuid rushed 
upon one another, like wrestlers, straining their aims and 
their sinews. And this is the fashion of the sore strife that 
took place between them : They threw their weapons out of 
their hands, and ran to encounter each other, and lock their 
knotty hands across one another's graceful backs. Then each 
gave the other a mighty twist; but Diarmuid hove Dubh- 
Chosach upon liis shoulder, and hurled his body to the earth, 
and bound him firm and fast upon the spot." 



THE CHIEF GAME OF ANCIENT IRELAND. 201 

noimced .s7ie//r/. FiacJi does not mean liiint; it means simplj 
a deer; but. at last, it came to mean a hunt, because a deei 
was the animal usually hiuited. 




No. 28. 
ANCIENT CHESSMAN. 

A king — found with several others in a bog, in the county of Meath, 
Ireland. Preserved in the Royal Irish Academy. 

"The great in-door game, — in fact, the only one men- 
tioned, — is chess; Flthchill {T^ronoimceA Fichill ; feat-Jichille, 
a chessman). Innumerable are the mentions of this game in 
Oaelic MSS. There is every reason to think the game was 
played just as it is now; but the pieces were very large, made 
of bronze; some of them have been found. You will see a 
drawing of one in the ' Book of Rights.' [See Figure Xo. 28.] 

" You must bear in mind that we know only very little yet 
about ancient Ireland, and cannot know all until all the 



202 KTIIICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

MSS. are translated. One thing is certain: there was very 
little drunkenness amongst the ancient Irish; to my knowledge, 
there is only one mention of it, in a tract called the ^ Mciccra 
Ulladh,' or ' Drunkenness of Ulster,' when Cucluillain, and 
some more of the ' boys ' of the period, got drunk, and for a 
long time, too; for they never stopped luitil they reached Kerry, 
having set out from Armagh ! Whiskey is never once men- 
tioned in the old MSS. They seem to have known no drinks 
but wine, ^on ; and lann^ ale." 



YI. 

THE ANCIENT GAMES AT TAILTEN AND CARMAN. 

The Corinth jind Olympus of ancient Ireland 
were Tailten and Carman, where the national 
fairs were periodically held. 

"The great fairs anciently held in Ireland," 
says Prof. AV. K. Sullivan, of the Koyal College 
of Science, " were not, like their modern repre- 
sentatives, mere markets ; but were assemblies of 
the people to celebrate funerals, games, and other 
religious rites, during })agan times ; to hold par- 
liaments, promulgate laws, listen to the recitation 
of tales and poems ; engage in, or witness, con- 
tests and feats of arms, horse-racimr, and other 
popular games. They were analogous, in many 
ways, to the Olympian and other games of 
ancient Greece." 



THE ANCIENT GAMES. 203 

"The Taltenian sports," says Ware, "were a 
sort of warlike exercises, sometliins: resemblinor 
Olympic games ; consisting of racing, tilts, tour- 
naments, or something like them, and other exer- 
cises. They were held every year at Tailten, a 
mountain in Meath, for fifteen days after the 1st 
of Auofust. Their first institution is ascribed to 
Lugaidh Lam-fadha, the twelfth king of Ireland, 
who beo^an his reis^n a. m. 2764, in 2fratitude to 
the memory of Tailte, the dauohter of Mas^h-Mor 
(a prince of some part of Spain), who, having 
been married to Eochaid, king of Ireland, took 
this Lugaidh under her protection, and had the 
care of his education in his minority. From this 
lady both the sports, and the place where they 
were celebrated, took their names. From King 
Lugaidh, the first of August was called Lugnassa, 
or the memory of Lugaidh, nassa signifying 
memory in Irish." 

There is an ancient Gaelic tract on the orio'in 
of the names of places in Ireland, which is called 
the ^'^ Dindsenchas.'^ From it we learn that the 
fair of Tailte, or Tailten, was instituted to com- 
memorate the name of Tailtin, the daus'hter of 
Magh-]VIor, king of Spain, and wife of the Irish 
King Eochad Garbh, who built the "mound of 
the foreio^ners" at Tara. According' to the ^^Dind- 
senchas" the fair of Tailten was instituted 3500 



204 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPOIJT. 

years B.C.; according to the *• Annals of the 
Four Masters," a. m. 3370. These dates, what- 
ever be their real value, certainlv indicate the 
great antiquity of the fair. 

One of the irreatest fio:ures in the history of 
Ireland, ancient or modern, is l)uried at Tailten ; 
namely, Ollamh Fodhla (pronounced Olav Fo- 
lah), who is recorded to have become monarch of 
Ireland a. m. 3882, and to have died in the year 
A.M. 3922, after a reign of forty years. He was 
the fortieth monarch of Ireland. The original 
name of this prince was Eochaidh ; but, from his 
great learning, he obtained the distinction of Ol- 
lamh (chief poet, or doctor) before he became 
king ; and, afterwards, he was called Ollamh 
Fodhla, which was one of the ancient names of 
Erinn.* 

Mr. Michael C. O'Shea, of Boston, a Gaelic 
scholar of deep research, "fives the followinir in- 
teresting note relating to ancient athletic exercises 
in the county Kerrv : — 

" Inshigeelach, a town in the county of Cork, Ireland, 
means intervale, or river-margin, of gymnastics, and is so called 
from a broad and level piece of river margin, in close vicinity, 
on which gj-muastic sports were practised in former times; and 
the last of the princely O'Donoghues of Ross Castle, on the 



* Ollamh Fodhla was the founder of the "Senchus More," 
or " Great Law," the title of the Brehon Laws (translated by 



THE AXCIENT GA3IE.S. 205 

shore of the lower lake of Killamey, was titled Donald na 
Xgeelach, Donald of the Gymnastics, from his wonderful gjTii- 
nastic skill, which gained him the reputation of a necromancer, 
or man of superhuman powers. He is the Merlin of the legen- 
dary lore of the ancient Kingdom of Kerry, a chief who never 
died, hut rode his silver-shod steed into the lake, and still 
appears once in eveiy seven years, riding over its surface, view- 
ing his ancient domain." 

Teltown (the ancient Tailten) i.s one of the most 
famous spots in Ireland ; next to Tara, probably 
it is the most ancient, if not the most notable. 
The historv of Tailten, Pao-an and Christian, 
would be the history of Ireland in symbol, — its 
fairs, games, laws, sports, poetry, marriages, etc. 
By the way, it is worth notino- that " a Teltown 
marriage," often spoken of in ^leath to-day, lasted 
iiist a year and a day. Sir AVilliam AVilde 
("Beauties of the Boyne and Blackwater,") 
describes this sino-ular old-time Irish marriao:e, 
which took place at the fair of Tailten : — 

" On the northeast side of the great fort {Bath Diihh) the 
most remarkable of the Teltown ceremonies took place — the 
marriages or betrothals. Upon one side of the great embank- 
ment were ranged the boys, and on the other the girls ; the 



0* Donovan and O'Cm-ry). He organized a triennial parliament 
at Tara, of the chiefs, priests, and bards, who digested the laws 
into a record called the " Psalter of Tara." He founded 
schools of history, medicine, philosophy, poetry, and astronomy, 
which were protected by his successors. Kimbath (4.j() r..c-.) 
and Hugony (300 B.C.), also, promoted the civil interests of the 
kingdom in a remarkable and somewhat similar manner. 



206 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

former ogling, the latter blushing. Having had a good view of 
each other they passed down to Avliere there is a deep hollow in 
the land, called Liuj-an-Eany , where they became separated by 
a high wall. In this wall, say the local traditions, there was a 
door with a small hole in it, through which each girl passed her 
middle finger, which the men on the other side looked at. If 
any of them admired the finger, he laid hold of it, and the lass 
to whom it belonged forthwith became his bride. The marri- 
age held good for a year and a day. If the couple disagreed 
during that time, they returned to Tailten, walked into the 
centre of Kath Dubli, stood back to back, one facing the north 
and the other the south, and walked out of the fort, a divorced 
couple, free to try their luck again at Lug-an-Eanyy 

This very ancient site of the palace of Tailten, 
one of the four royal residence^ of Ireland, in 
early times, is situated on the northern bank of 
the ])oyne, about midway between Kells and 
Navan. It is in the centre of the most fertile land 
in all Ireland, and probably in all Europe. The 
ancient earthworks of fort and rath are still 
there — will be there while the earth lasts. The 
remains of trench, em1)ankment, and foundation 
are greater, even, than those of Tara, at least 
those now existinii: there. 

In *' The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland 
by the Four ^Masters " there is a notice of Tailten, 
savinir : — 

"In tlie year of the world 3370, in the reign of Lugh 
Lamhfhada, the fair of Tailten was established, in commemo- 
ration and remembrance of his foster-mother, Tailte, the 
daughter of 3Iaghmor, King of Spain, and the wife of Eochaidh, 
son of Ere, the last King of the Firbolgs." 



THE AXCIEXT GA31ES. 207 

The fair of Tailten (Teltown) continued down 
to the time of Roderick O'Connor, the hist mon- 
arch of Ire hind, and was hekl annually on the 
1st of August, w^hich month derives its name, in 
the Irish language, from this very circumstance, 
l)eing called Lugh-nasadh, or Lugh's fair — the 
Lammas day-— to wdiich man}' ancient rites and 
ceremonies still attach throughout Ireland. 

" Ui)on the occasion of the fair of Tailten," 
says Sir AMlliam AVilde (" Beauties of the Boyne 
and Blackwater," p. 150), " various sports and 
pastimes, a description of Olympic games, were 
celebrated, consistinij of feats of strength and 
agility in wrestling, boxing, running, and athletic 
manly sports, as well as horse-races and chariot- 
races. Besides these, the people were entertained 
with shows and rude theatrical exhibitions. 
Among these latter are enumerated sham battles, 
and also aquatic fights, which were exhibited 
upon the artificial lakes, the sites of which are 
still pointed out." 

The most satisfactory account preserved of these 
meetings, is that of the fair of Carman. This 
account is preserved in the fragments of poems 
in the precious old "Book of Leinster" (a work 
known to have been compiled from ancient MSS. 
in the year 1150), which is one of the treasures of 
the library of Trinity College, Dublin. The 



208 ETHICS OF JiOXING AM) MANLY Sl'OKT. 

ancient Book of Ballyniotc, preserved in the li- 
brary of the Koval Irish Academy, also contains 
a description of the fair of Carman. 

The complete ol)lilcrali(?n of the ancient Car- 
man, and the i^rowth of another city, or a city 
with another name in its place, is accounted for 
by the fact that that part of Ireland was the 
stronghold and for many generations the home of 
the Danish invaders. AVexford is one of the few 
cities that the Danes have named in Ireland ; and 
nearly all the other places bearing Danish names 
in Ireland are also on the east coast. 

Considering how prominently the Danes fig- 
ured in Irish history, this is a singular fact. 
AVorsae (page 71) gives a table of 1373 Danish 
and Xorweaiiin names in the middle and northern 
counties of England, names ending in thovpe, htj^ 
tkwaite^ icifh, (off, heel', noes, ey, dale, force, fell, 
tarn, and haucjh. 

Dr. Joyce's " Irish Names of Places," Vol. I, 
page 105, says: — 

"We have in Ireland only a few Danish terminations, as 

ford, which occurs four times; cy^ three times; sie)\ three 

times; and ore, whicli we find in one name. We have only 

fifteen Danish names in Ireland, almost all confined to one 

particular district.* 'This,' says Dr Joyce, ' appears to me to 



* " The only names I can find that are wholly or partly Danisli 
are Wexford, Waterford, Carlingford, Strangford (Lough), Old- 



THE ANCIENT GAINIES. 



209 



afford a complete answer to the statements wliich we see some- 
times made, that the Danes conquered the comitry, and their 
chiefs ruled over it as sovereigns.' " 




Nus. -1) and 30. 

<^^'KAISECH, with FJrbolg- fasteuing 
and Tuatha De Dauauu point. 



(See page 177.) Xi). 31. 

FlUnoLC FJARLANXA, 
OK CL'llVEU POINTLESS BLADE. 



The truth is, the Danes never had any perma- 
nent settlement in Irehind except in a few seaport 
towns ; and even there they had not mucli owner- 
ship of land, but were sea-traders and merchants. 

erfleet, Carnsore, Ireland's Eye, Lambay, Dalkey, Howth, 
Leixlip, and Oxmantown . . The termination ford is tlie 
northern word Jiord, or inlet of the sea." (Joyce, "Irish 
Names of Places.") 



210 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPOIH , 

The famous fair was held at ancient Carman 
every three years. The Gaelic poem, or poems, 
in which it is descri])e(l, haxc heen transhited 
by IVof. Eugene O'Curry, ]\I. K. 1. A. ; and the 
evidence goes to show that the fragments were 
originally ])art of one continuous poem. 

This poem is of profound imi)()rtance for the 
ancient liistorv of Ireland, which is loni*- (Uie to 
the world. .Vll such expressions as this article, 
though written with a special niotive, will extend 
the knowledge of these wonderful antiijue literary 
treasures, will tend to show their value to readers 
of the Irish race and others, and help toward their 
future studv bv the scholars of the world. The 
archaeologist, the philologist, the ethnologist, of 
centuries to come, will tind in ancient Erinn such 
treasures as almost no other country has yet to 
deliver up to the generations. 

Carman Avas one of the seven chief cemeteries 
of Erinn, the others being Tailten, Cruachan, the 
r>rugh of the Boyne, Cuile, Tallacht, and Teamar 
of Dunn Finntain. 

The poem on "The Fair of Carman" begins 
with Greek-like abruptness : — 

" Carman, why so called? Answer: Three men whu eunie 
from Athens, and one Avoman with them, /. r., the three sons 
of Di1)ad, — Dian, Duhh, and Dothur, were their names, — 
and Carman was their mother. By charms and spells and in- 
cantations the mother blighted every xilace." 



THE ANCIENT GAMES. 211 

*' The grave of Carman, by whom was it dug ? 
Will you learn, or do you know ? 
According to all our beloved forefathers, 
It was Bres, son of Gladen. Listen : — 

" Four- score and five full hundreds, 
Is the number true of years, 
From Carman of demoniac spells, 
To the birth of Jesus after humanity. 

" And the peoj^le of Leinster celebrated this fair by their 
tribes and by their families, down to tlie time of Cathair Mor. 
There were seven races there, and a week for considering the 
laws and the rights of the province for three years. It was in 
the kalends of August they assembled there, and it was on the 
sixth of August they used to leave it; and every third year 
tliey were wont to hold it; and two years for the preparations." 

Besides the markets of cattle, merchandise, 
arms, etc., there were poems read, hiws revised, 
contests by bards, seven horse-races, and various 
kinds of military shows and athletic contests, 
chiefly with arms. 

Another description of this ancient Irish as- 
sembly, or fair, is given in the Gaelic poem 
contained in the ancient " Book of Bally mote," 
translated by Prof. Eugene O'Curry, M.R.I. A. 

*' Five kings and thirty, without sorrow, here. 

Of the Leinstermen, before the faitli of Christ, 

Their pride over Erinn had spread, 

From thy sweet-sounding harbor, O Carman ! 

" The Leinstermen continued to hold this fair, 
By their tribes and by their families, 
From Labraidh Loingsech — theme of poets — 
To powerful Cathair of red-spears." 



'2\2 ETHICS OF BOXING AND 3IA^•LY SPORT. 

The poem spocitics the positions allotted to the 
kiiiiis and the izreat chiefs, to witness the irames 
:ind exercises of the fair. 

" In the Kalends of August, \\ ilhoiit fail, 
Tliey assembled in every third year, 
They arranged seven well-fought races, 
In the seven days of the week. 

'• Here they proclaimed in clear words 

The privileges and laws of the province; 

Every rule of our severe law. 

In eveiy third year they adjusted. 

" Corn, milk, peace, ease, and prosperity, 
"Waters full and in abundance, 
Ixighteous rules and loyalty to kings. 
With troops to guard Erinn ^^ ere its care. 

" The hospitality of the Ily-Drona, 

And the steed contests of the men of Ossaiy, 

And the dash of spear-handles 

From the entire host, were its termination.'' 

From the poem contained in the ancient "Book 
of Leinster" (Prof. O'Curry's transhition) is the 
following description of the fair of Tailten : — 

*• The Leinstemien held this, the fair, 
Both as tribes and liouseholders. 

Here they i>roclaimeil, boldly and loudly, 

The privileges of every law, and their restraints. 

" To sue, to levy, to controvert debts. 
To abuse steeds in their career 
Is not allowed here l)y contending racers, 
Nor elopement, oppression, or arrest. 



THE ANCIENT GAMES. 213 

"No man goes into the woman's assembly; 
No woman into the assembly of the men ; 
No abduction here is heard of; ■ 

jN"or repudiation of husbands, or of wives. 

" Whoever transgresses the Law of the Kings, 

Whicli Benen so accurately and permanently wrote,* 
Cannot be spared upon family composition, 
But he must die for his transgression. 

" Here follow its great privileges, — 

The rights and enjoyments of the fair. 
Trumpets, harps, wide-mouthed horns, 
Cusighs, timpanists, without fail ; 
Poets and groups of agile jugglers." 

The poem goes on to enumerate the features of 
the great fair ; the reading of poems, histories, 
etymologies, precepts ; the annals of feasts and 
fairs; "The History of the Hill of Mighty Tea- 
mar" (Tara) ; the stor^^ of the noblest women; 
of courts, enchantments, conquests, kings ; the 

* The law of Benen is the famous Irish "Book of llights " 
{^^ Lcahhar na g-Cearf'), published by the Celtic Society, 
Dublin, in 1847. It gives an account of the rights of the 
monarchs of all Ireland, and the revenues payable to them by 
the kings of the several provinces, and of the stipends paid 
by the monarch to the provincial kings for their services, etc. 
This Benen, or Benean, was St. Benignus the disciple of St. 
Patrick, and his successor as Bishop of Ard Maclia (Armagh). 
He resigned his bishopric in 465 ; died on the 9th of November, 
4(58, and was buried in Armagh. It is probable that the laws 
and tributes mentioned in " The Book of Eights" were taken 
from records of great antiquity, and were digested and, per- 
haps, put into metre by St. Benignus. 



214 ETHICS OF HOXING AND MAXLY 8POKT. 

successions and battles of kings ; the victories of 
saints of Leinster. 

Then follows this impressive outline of the field 
and the fair of Carman : — 

"O Leinsteriuen of the tombs, pray listen! 
Twenty-one raths of lasting fame, 
In which hosts are laid under ground ; 
A psalm- singing cemetery of renown 
Is there by the side of noble Carman. 

"Seven mounds without touching each other, 
For the oft-lamenting of the dead; 
Seven plains, sacred, without a house, 
For the sports of joyous Carman were reserved. 

"• Three markets were held within its borders: 
A market for food; a market for live cattle; 
The great market of the foreign Greeks, 
In which are gold and costly clothes. 

" The slope of the steeds; the slope of the cooking; 

The slope of the assembly of embroidering women. 
. • . • . .<*. • . 

" There comes of not celebrating this feast, 

Baldness, cowardice, early grayness; 

A king without wisdom, without wealth, 

Without hospitality, without truthfulness." 

This remarkable poem, coming down to us 
from remote antiquity, is one of the many proofs 
Ireland has to offer of the earlv civilization and 
refinement of her people. There are invaluable 
stores of ancient Gaelic learning and poetry still 
concealed in the nuiseums and li])raries of Europe. 
" These old poems show," says Prof. 0"Curry, 



HEROIC COMBAT IX AXCIEXT IKELAXD. J 15 

" the nature of the Assemblies, or Fairs, of Ire- 
laud, and how the irrave business of leofishition 
was performed on appointed days, in the midst 
of others set apart for pleasure, or reserved for 
mercantile pursuits." 

Charles O'Conor, of Belanagare, a famous 
authority on Irish literary antiquities, says : — 
''Placed in the extremity of Europe, secluded from 
the rest of the world, unconquered, unmixed, and 
never afl'ected bv the concussions of the fall of 
the Koman Empire, the Irish must have pos- 
sessed primeval institutions, which these MSS. 
are the best calculated to unfold." 



YII. 

AX HEROIC COMBAT IX AXCIEXT IRELAXB. 

The most interestiuir literarv relic of ancient 
Ireland is, prol)ably, the heroic poem called the 
''Tain Bo Chuahrpie'' (-The Cattle-Prey of 
Cooley"), wliich is preserved in the Leabhav na- 
h-Uidhri and in the '*Book of Leinster.*' It is 
assigned to a period in or about the year 600, 
A.D. ; at least one specimen of the same kind of 
ancient verse, in the ''Duidsenchaf<j" was written 



21() ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPOKT. 

a])()iit A.I). .VJO, ])y Aineririn, chief poet to 
I)i:irniait, .sou of Fergus Ccirl)he()il. 

" These couipositious i)rove," says Prof. 




N«). 32. 
"BROAD <;keen srEAii" 
Bronze. (See page 177.) 



*/ 




No. 33. MANAIS, or BROAD 

FIRBOLG DAGGER, THRUSTING .ssPEAK. 



called COLG. 



(See page 177.) 



O'Curiy, " that the uiost enchautiug forui of 
Irish uiusie is purely native, independent of any 
Saxon, Danish, or Xornian aid." 



HEPvOIC COMBAT IX ANCIEXT IKELAND. 217 

The ^'Tdin Bo Chauihjne''' contains many de- 
tailed and picturesque accounts of personal con- 
flicts, weapons, dress, armor, etc., and, in this 
respect alone, it is interesting' to glance at the 
history of the noble poem. 

Saint Ciaran, the founder of the church at 
Clonniacnoise, in ancient Westmeath, and who 
died in the year 548, transcribed this poem with 
his own hand into a book called ^^Leahharna-li- 
UidJu'i,'' which book remained at Clonniacnoise 
for hundreds of years afterwards. The poem was 
ai2:ain transcribed from St. Ciaran's ]MS. about the 
year 1100, and in the year 1873 it was trans- 
lated into Enirlish and pu])lished bv the Royal 
Irish Academy, in the lil)rary of which the vellum 
transcription of the year 1100 is still preserved. 

The ''Tain Bo Chua'dgne^'^ is also preserved in 
the " Book of Leinster," an almost contemporary 
manuscript, four hundred large pages of which 
still remain in beautiful preservation. The "Book 
of Leinster" was transcril)ed about the year 1150, 
by I)ishop ]\IacGorman, of Kildare, who died in 
IKiO. At this day, therefore, it is at least seven 
hundred and thirty-eight years old. It contains a 
splendid copy of the ''Tain Bo CJiuailgne.'' So 
that we have this superb literary specimen of 
ancient Irish poetry from two distinct sources 
giving an assured copy of the poem as it existed 



218 ETHICS OF BOXING AM) AIANLV 8POKT. 

in St. Ciarau's time, before the year 548, — or 
over thirteen centuries ago. 

Let me here interi)()hite a word ahout the 
artistic })r()diiction of these and other ancient 
Irish books. AVith reference to the execution of 
the letterinij and decoration, ^Ir. Diirbv AVyatt 
ol)serves that in delicacy of handlinir and minute 
l)ut faultless execution, the whole ranire of pahv- 
ograpli}' offers nothing equal to the early Irish 
manuscripts, especially " The Book of Ivells," the 
most marvellous of them all. One cannot wonder, 
therefore, that Giraldus Cambrensis, when living 
in Ireland, in the reiirn of Ilenrv II., on bein<r 
shown an illustrated Irish manuscript, exclaimed : 
" This is more like the work of anijels than of men.'' 

Sir AVilliam Wilde, himself a Protestant, writ- 
ing of the destruction of Irish art ('* Sketches 
of the Irish Past") , says : — 

"The gorgeous missals and illuminated gospels, instinct 
with life, genius, holy reverence, and patient love, were des- 
tined to be replaced soon after by the dull mechanism of print; 
while Protestantism used all its new-found strength to destroy 
that innate tendency of our nature, which socks to manifest 
religious fervor, faitli, and zeal by costly offerings and sacri- 
fices. The golden-bordered holy-books, the sculptured crosses, 
the jewelled shrines, were crushed under the feet of Cromwell's 
troopers; the majestic and beautiful abbeys were desecrated 
and cast down to ruin, while beside them rose the mean and 
ugly structures of the reformed faitli. . . . Since that 
mournful period there has been no revival of art in Ireland. 



HEROIC COMBAT IX ANCIEXT IKELAXD. 219 

" The relics of a civilization three thousand years old may 
still be gazed upon by modern eyes in the splendid and unri- 
valled antiquarian collection of the Royal Irish Academy. The 
golden circlets, the fibulas, torques, bracelets, rings, worn by the 
Tuatha De Danann, are not only costly in value, but often so 
singularly beautiful in the working out of minute artistic 
details, that modern art is not merely unable to equal them, 
but unable even to comprehend how the ancient workers in 
metal could accomplish works of such delicate, almost micro- 
scopic, minuteness of finish." (Sir William Wilde, "Ancient 
Dublin/ •) 

I have said this much al)Oiit those ancient and 
precious Irish books to introduce a description of 
a fii>ht between two Irish chieftains, which is 
related in the Tain Bo CJiiiailgne. 

The poem is a picture of the time, an evidence 
of the extraordinary development of Irish civil- 
ization at a period when every country in Europe 
north of Italy was in absolute barbarism. Even 
at the time of its transcription by St. Ciaran, 
nearly thirteen and a half centuries auo, litera- 
ture had not been ])orn in England ; indeed, that 
cBuntry was in the rudest condition, just emerg-- 
ini*' from the darkness of an utterlv unsocial state. 

I quote and condense from the book of the 
Tain, entitled " The Fiii'ht of Ferdiad : " 

"And then it was discussed by the men of Eiriu who shoidd 
go to combat and do battle Avith Cuchulaind at the early hour 
of the morrow. [Cuchulaind, or Cuchullain, had challenged all 
Queen Medb's warriors.] What they all said was: that it was 
Ferdiad, son of Daman, son of Dare, the valiant warrior of 



220 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

the iiieu of Doiunaml. For their nioile of combat was equal 
and aliko. They liail learned the science of ai-nis, l)ravery, and 
valor with the same tutors: with Seathach, and with Uathaclu 
and with Aife. And neither of them had any advantage over 
the other, except that Cuchulaind had the feat of the gae-hoh/ 
(the cast big of the belly-dart)/' * 

Messaii'o after mcsstiii'c was sent to Ferdiad, 
askin<2: him to come and tiirlit Cuchulaind. I^ut 
''he knew wherefore thev wanted him — to tiiiht 
and combat with liis own friend and companion 
and fellow-pupil, Cuchidaind, and he came not 
with them." 

Then (Jiieen ^ledh (Cleave or ]\Iab) sent the 
druids to urge, and the satirists to sting, Ferdiad ; 
and, more out of fear of the bitter poets than 
the j)riests, the warrior yielded. 

" The subject of the strange belief in ancient Ireland, in 
the power of a poet,'' says Prof. Eugene O' Curry, " would be 
one of great interest to investigate." By their satires they 
were supposed to be able to bring fatalities on men. Laidcenn, 
a poet of the fourth century, we are told, satirized the men of 
Leinster, " so that neither corn, grass, nor foliage could grow 
for them during a whole year." The belief in this occult power 
of the poet was general in all the ancient history of Ireland. 



* The (/al-huh/", or {/ac-hob/a (the belly-dart) is unicjuc 
among the weapons of Ireland. There is a connnon phrase 
often heard in Ireland, "Put the (jai-bohj on him" (meaning 
a masterful strolce), which 1 have heard vulgarized in Ameiiea 
into, "Put the kye-hosJi on him." It is strange to trace such 
a phrase back to a mysterious weapon used tliousands of yeai"s 
ago in Ireland. 

"This was the character of that dart," says the ancient 



HEROIC COMBAT IN ANCIENT IRELAND. 221 

But Ferdiiid was resolved not to fiaht Cuchu- 
laind without hiirli reward : 

"Aiul when he arrived he was received with honor and 
attendance, and he was served with pleasant, sweet, intoxicat- 
ing hquor, so that he became gently merry. And great rewards 
were promised liim for making the fight, namely: a chariot, 
with four-times-seven cumals; the outfit of twelve men of 
clothes of every color; and the extent of his own territory of 
the level plain of Magh Aie, free of tribute, to the end of time ; 
and Findebar, the daughter of the King, as his wedded wife, 
and the golden brooch which was in Medb's cloak in addition." 



Js'^ 



Queen Medl) ursfed Ferdiad to the fio'ht with 
promise of this great reward ; l)ut Ferdiad refused 
to i>o without further ixuarantee. He answ^ered : 

'• I will not accept it without guarantee; 
For a champion without security I will not be. 
Heavily will it press upon me to-morrow, 
Terrible Avill be the battle. 
Hound, indeed, is the name of Culand; 
He is fierce in combat." 



Tdui Bo Chitailrjne : " It was upon a stream it should be set, 
and it was from between the toes it should be cast. It made 
but the Avound of one dart in entering the body ; but it pre- 
sented thirty inverted points against coming back; so that it 
could not be drawn from a person's body without opening it." 

"Concerning this weapon," says Prof. O'Cmiy ("Ancient 
Irish," p. 310, vol. 11), " if we only knew of it from the exag- 
gerated description of the manner in which it tore its way 
through Ferdiad' s questionable armor, its existence at all might 
be very well doubted; but, in another ancient tale, we have 
very fair authority to show that Cuchulaind had unwittingly 



222 ETHICS OF boxixg and manly spout. 

Again Medl) offered treasures, and made prom- 
ises of glittering reward. Ferdiad was resolitte : 

"I will not go -without securities 
To the contest of the ford. 
It will live in fame until the judgment day. 
I will not accept though I die, 
Though thou excitest me in lansruacfe."" 

Then Medl) agreed to Ferdiad's terms, and lie 

agreed to tight six champions on the morrow, or 

killed Ills own son Conlaech with this very weapon, in an onli- 
nary combat on the shore, near Dundalk." 

Like the Tathlum, or sling-ball, with which the champion 
Balor .vas killed in the battle of the Northern Mayh Tuirewlh^ 
the gae-bolr/a has been assigned an Eastern origin by a very 
ancient Irish poet. His poem, in Gaelic, opens thus : — 

" How was the gae-holga discovered? 

Or by whom was it brought hither 

From the Eastern parts of the world ? 
" Inform those who are ignorant 

That this weajjon originally came hither 

From liolg Mac IJuain, in the East, 

To Cuehulaind, in Muirtheimhne." 

The poet goes on to relate that the champion Bolg Mac 
Buain fomid, on the sea-shore, the bones of a monster called 
the Curruid, and "made the wild spear from the bones of the 
kingly monster." 3Iac Buain gave the gae-bohj to Mac Inbar; 
who gave it to Lena, his friend; who gave it to Dermeil; who 
gave it to Scathach, the teacher of the war college of Alba 
(.Scotland); who gave it to lier daughter Aife (Cuchulahid's 
mistress); who gave the weapon to Cuehulaind. 

" Cuehulaind brought the fjae-boUj 
Into Eriun, with all its barbs ; 
By it he slew Conlaech of the shields, 
And Ferdiad afterwards." 

Sucli is tlie account of the origin and history of tlie famous 
fjae-bolff, as preserved in an extremely old Gaelic poem. 



HEROIC C031BAT IX ANCIENT IRELAND. 223 

combat with Cuchulaind, whichever he thought 
easier. 

Fergus, a warrior, proceeded in his chariot 
to Cuchulaind's residence, to inform him of the 
airreement. " Thine own friend," he said, *' and 
companion, the fellow-pupil, the co-feat and co- 
deed and co-valor man, Ferdiad, is coming to 
tight with thee." 

''I am here," answered Cuchulaind ; *'I do not 
desire to fight my friend ; but, I trust, as I have 
not yielded before any other man of Eiriu, I shall 
not yield before him." * 

" Should we happen to meet at the ford, 
I and Ferdiad of never- failing valor, 
It shall not be a separation without history; 
Fierce will be oui* conflict. 

" I pledge my word and my vow, 

Though we may be much alike in combat, 
That it is I who shall gain the victory." 

Both champions prepared for the conflict, as- 
sisted by their friends. In the morning, Ferdiad 
ordered his horses to be harnessed. AVhereupon 
his charioteer tried to persuade him not to fight 
Cuchulaind : — 

"It were better for thee to stay; 
Thy threats are not gentle. 
To encounter the chief hero of Ulster, 
It is a meeting of which grief will come. 



* Throughout this poem the name of the country is spelled 
Eiriu, not Erinn. 



224 KTIIICS OF JiOXIXG AND MANLY SPOUT. 

Long will it be remembered : 

AVoe is he who goeth that journey." 

Fei'diad would not be persuaded. He had 
made guarantee to fiuht, and he wouhl. He an- 
s\V(n'ed the eharioteer : — 

' ' What thou sayest is not right ; 

A brave champion should not refuse: 

It is not our inheritance : 

Be silent, then, my servant: 

We will be brave in the field of battle; 

Valor is better than timidity; 

Let us go to the challenge." 

Ferdiad, in his chariot, arrived first at the ford, 
uhieh irave him the choice of weapons. Whik? 
he waited, he lay down on the cushions, and 
slept. 

Meanwhile, Cuchulaind had ordered his chariot 
to 1)c })repared, sayini^ : "He is an early-rising 
chami)ion who cometh to meet us to-day." 

AVhen Cuchulaind sprang into his chariot, there 
shouted roimd him BocanacJtfi, and Bananachs^ 
and Geniti Glindi, and demons of the air; for the 
Tuatha De Danami were used to set up their 
shouts around him, so that the hatred and fear 
and abhorrence and terror of him should l)e the 
greater in every battle. And soon the awful rat- 
tle and roar of his chariot was heard comins: ; and 
Ferdiad's servant awoke his lord. " Good, O 
Ferdiad," he cried, "arise; here they come to 



HEROIC COMBAT IN ANCIENT IRELAND. 225 

the ford." And aofain the fateful charioteer fore- 
bodes darkly for his master : — 

" Woe to liim who is on the hillock, 
Awaiting tlie hound of valor! 
I foretold last year 

That there would come a heroic hound — 
The hound of Emain Macha — 
Tlie hound of a territory, the hound of battle. 
I hear, I have heard ! " 

Ferdiad reproached his charioteer as unfaithful, 
and as havinir received bribes from Cuchulaind. 

Then they saw the chariot of Cuchulaind ; " the 
beautiful four-peaked chariot, with a green pavil- 
ion, drawn bv two fleet, broad-chested, hiah- 
flanked, wide -hoofed, slender- le<r£red, broad- 
rumped horses ; one of which was gray, the 
other black." 

** And Cuchulaind reached the ford. Ferdiad 
came on the south side ; Cuchulaind en the north 
. side of the ford." The champions saluted each 
other ; Cuchulaind said he was sorry to have to 
meet his friend in battle. Ferdiad replied, search- 
ins: for a reason for disairreement, that when thev 
were pupils in the war-schools of Scathach and 
Uathach and Aife, Cuchuhiind had been his at- 
tendant, to tie up his spears and prepare his bed. 

"It is true, indeed," said Cuchulaind, " but it was then as 
thy junior 1 did this for thee; and this is not the story to be 
told hereafter. For there is not in the world a champion I 
would not fight this day." 



22G ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPOKT. 

Then they inveighed bitterly against each other ; 
till at last they came to the question of how they 
should tiiiht. But once more the tenderness of 



So. 35. No. 3G. 

SLEGH. 

Sharp-pointed Tuatha De Danann Spears. (See page 177.) 



their old friendship overcame Cuchulaind, and he 
implored Ferdiad to Avithdraw from the combat : — 

" Findabar, the daugliter of the king, — 

The reward which has been proffered thee, — 

To numbers before thee has been falsely promised, 

And many like thee has she wounded. 



HEROIC COMBAT IN AXCIENT IRELAND. 227 

" Break not with me thy vow not to combat, 
Break not thy bond — break not friendship, 
Break not thy pledged word. 

" Unto fifty, champions has Findabar been proffered, — 
By me they have been sent to their graves." 



No. 37. No. 38. JS'o. 39. 

SLEGH. 

Tuatlia De Danann Spears. (See page 177.) 

And he urges Fercliad by all the dear old ties 
between them not to enter on the combat : — 

" We were heart-companions, 

We were comrades in assemblies. 
We were fellows of the same bed, 
Where we used to sleep the deep sleep. 
To hard battles, 



226 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY 8rOIIT. 

In countries many and far distant, 
Together we used to practice, and go 
Through each forest, learning with Scathach." 

*' O Cuchuliiind of tlio l)oautiful feats," said Fcr- 
diad, " thouiih we have studied arts of e(|iial 
science, and thouiih I have heard our bonds of 
friendship, of nie shall come thy first wounds ; 
remember not thy championsliip. O Hound ! it 
shall not avail thee, — O Hound! it shall not 
avail thee." 

Then Ferdiad cut short the discussion by ask- 
inij with wdiat arms thev should fisfht. ** Thine 
is the choice of arms, till night," said Cuchulaind, 
" for it was thou that first reached the ford." 

Ferdiad chose javelins — light spears for throw- 
ing. They took their shields, and " their light 
turned-handled spears, and their light little quill 
spears, and their light ivory-hafted spears." 
" They used to fly from them and to them like 
bees on the wing on a fine day." Each continued 
to shoot at the other with these missiles from 
morn till middav, until all their missiles were 
blunted on the shields. Neither was wounded. 

Then they desisted, to change their weapons. 
*' Thev cast away their missiles into the hands of 
their charioteers." Ferdiad now chose " straight, 
smooth, hardened spears, with their hardened 
flaxen strin^i^s in them ; " and the finht continued 



HEKOIC COMBAT IX AXCIEXT IRELAND. 229 

till nightfall, Avheu thev ceased. "They threw 
their arms to the charioteers. Each of them ap- 
proached the other forthwith, and each put his 
hands around the other's neck and sfave him 
three kisses." 

Their horses grazed in the same paddock that 
niirht, and their charioteers sat at the same fire. 
The warriors lav on beds of rushes ; and the 
healers came with herbs and plants of healing, to 
cure their wounds. Of every herb and healhi<z 
balsam applied to the wounds of Cuchulaind, he 
sent part over the ford to Ferdiad, and he did like- 
wise with the food and drink brought to him. 

Xext morninof they came airain to the ford, and 
this day Cuchulaind had the choice of weapons ; 
and he chose the ' ' great broad spear for thrust- 
inir/' to be used from their chariots. 

All dav the iiirht lasted, and at niirht the horses 
were wearied and the charioteers dispirited. 
Airain they desisted, and asrain embraced and 
parted for the night, " their horses in the same 
field and their servants at the same fire." 

This night Ferdiad sent to Cuchulaind part of 
all the rich food and drink and healing herbs sent 
liim by the men of Eiriu. Xext day they met 
ai:ain, and Ferdiad chose heavy swords for the 
weapons. "We are nearer to the end of the fight,'* 
said Cuchulaind, " than the throwinir of the first 



230 ETHICS OF BOXING AMI> MANLY SPOKT. 




No. 40. 

ANCIENT BBONZE SHIELD.* 



* "A very beautiful bronze sbield, found in a bog forming a 
peninsula or island in Lough Gurr, in the county of Limerick. 
The Iloyal Irish Academy having purchased this beautiful 
shield from M. Lenihan, Esq., of Limerick, it is now in the 
national museum. It is a flat disc two feet three and three- 
quarter inches in diameter. It has six concentric rings formed 
by al)out two hundred small hollow bosses about an inch in 
diameter; and in the centre a large somewhat flattened boss, 
six inches internal diameter, called by the French Ombilir 
<V Umbo, and by the (rermans the Schildnabel. The rim is an 
inch and three-quarters in width. The handle is fastened 



HEROIC COMBAT IX .IXCIEXT IRELAND. 231 




No. 41. 

AXCLE>"T BRONZE SHIELD. 



across the back of the central boss. On the back of the shield, 
in the third circle from the rim, are two bits of bronze so 
riveted that the heads of the rivets form two of the small 
obverse bosses. These bits of bronze sened to sling the shield 
over the shoulders. [Figures 40 and 41 represent the face and 
back of this shield.] The central boss or mnbUicus of some 
Irish sliieltls must have been formed by a spike which could 
be thrust into the face of an enemy. This was, perhaps, the 
Gilech cuach coicrindi or flesh mangling cup-Gilech or cup- 
spear, which was on the speckled blow-dealing shield of Laeg- 
haire Baadacfi." — O'Curnjs ''Manners and Customs.'''' 



'2'6'2 ETHICS OF BOXING AM) MANLY SPOKT. 

day or the thriLstinir of the second, by the hewing 
of to-day." They fouirht from behind their " long 
o^reat shields," and l)()th men were many times 
and deeply wounded, when the darkness fell. 
When they gave their weapons to the charioteers 
they were mournful and silent ; the}' did not em- 
brace each other : their horses were not in the 
same field that night ; their cliarioteers were not 
at the same fire. 

"Then Ferdiad arose early next morninu', and went forward 
alone to the ford of battle. For he knc'w that that day would 
decide the fight ; he knew that either of them should fall on 
that day there, or that they both would fall." 

"And it was then he put on his battle-suit of combat, before 
the coming of Cuchulaind. And that suit of combat was 
[as follows] : He put on his apron of striped silk, with its 
border of spangled gold, next his white skin. He put on his 
apron of brown leather, well sewn, over that, on the lower part [of 
his body]. He put on a flat stone outside over this apron; and 
again, outside this, a deep apron of purified iron, through fear 
of the gae-bolg (the belly-dart), on that day. He put his 
crested helmet on his head, in which were forty gems, carbun- 
cles, in each compartment, and it was also studded with crystals, 
cruan, and rubies from the East. He took his shaq>-pointed 
strong spear into his right hand. He took his cur^'ed sword 
upon his left side, with its golden hilt and pommels. He took 
his large bossed shield on the slope of his back.'' 

When Cuchulaind came to the ford the fii>ht 
began with missive weapons (javelins,) and con- 
tinued till noon. And when midday came, the 
ire of the men became more furious, and they 



HEROIC COMBAT IX ANCIENT IKELAND. 2o3 

drew nearer to each other. And then it was that 
Cuchulaind sprang from the l)rink of the ford, 
and huns: on the boss of the shield of Ferdiad 
for the purpose of striking him on the head over 
the upper rim of the shiekl. And Ferdiad gave 
the shiekl a blow of his riuht elbow and cast 
Cuchulaind from him like a kid from the brink 
of the ford. Cuchulaind sprang from the brink 
and airain clun^: to the boss of the shield, and was 
airain flunir off, Ferdiad strikins: the shield with 
his left knee. 

Then Laeir, the charioteer of Cuchulaind, 
reproached his master, v;ho, with a mighty spring, 
again leaped at Ferdiad, caught the boss of his 
shield, and was flung headforemost into the 
middle of the ford. 

A dreadful close-fio'ht followed, in which the 
very shields were unriveted and bent, and the 
Bocanachs and Bananachs and wild people of the 
irlens and demons of the air "screamed from the 
rims of the shields and the hilts of the swords, 
and hafts of the spears." The champions fought 
with heavy swords, and at length Ferdiad buried 
his blade in Cuchulaind's body, making a deep 
but not deadlv wound ; and still he rained on 
Cuchulaind his irreat strokes. 

"Cuchulaind could not endure this; and he 
asked Laes:, son of Rianirabra, for the gac-ljolg." 



'2:>\ ETHICS OF BOXING AM) AIANLV SPOUT. 

•• W'hon Fordiad licard the gae-bolg men- 
tioned, he made a stroke of the spear downward 
to proteet his h)wer body. Ciiehulaind thrust 
his si)ear over Ferdiad's shield and wounded him, 
and then (juiekly settinir the irne-bolor between 
the toes of his feet, he east it at Ferdiad. It 
piereed the wrought-iron apron, l)roke the stone 
beneath, and entered his ])odv, ' so that every 
cavity of him was tiHcd with ])arbs/" 

" That is enough, indeed," said Ferdiad : " I fall 
of that." 

Cuchulaind ran to him, raised him tenderly, 
and carried him across the ford, in order that 
there should be no question of his victor v. Then 
hiying him down, he swooned beside him. AVhen 
he recovered, he lamented over the corse of his 
foe man. Laeg came and strijiped Ferditul. 

*'Good, O my friend Laeg," said Cuchulaind, 
*'open Ferdiad now, and take the oae-boh'- out 
of him, for 1 camiut afford to he U'lthoul nuj 
weapon.'' 

Laeg came and opened Ferdiad, and took the 
gae-bolg out of him : and Cuchulaind laid his 
red weapon by the white side of Ferdiad, and 
lamented anew : 

"O Ferdiaii: sorrowful is thy fate! 
That I shouhl see thee so gory and jiale; 
Having njy weapon yet unwashed, 
And thou a blood-streaming man. 



HEliOlC COMBAT IX ANCIENT IRELAND. '2do 

Sad is the deed wliicli has come of it : 
We the pupils of Scathach, 
I, all wounded and red with gore, 
Thou, thy chariot no longer driving." 

" GoodjO Ciicliulaind,"saidLaeg, *'letii.s leave 
this ford DOW. Too long are we here." 

" We shall leave now, indeed, O my friend 
Laeij," said Cucliulaind ; "but every other combat 
that I have made was to me as a game and a sport 
compared with this fight with Ferdiad ! " 



It is impossi1)le in hvief space to convey the 
richness of imagery, the su])tle character-sketch- 
ing, and the minute detail of this noble and 
ancient poem. The future has brilliant crowns 
for Erinn besides those she may win politically. 
The re-establishment of her literary and artistic 
genius, the- verification of her ancient and unceas- 
ing claim, the proving her root to have its deep 
hold in the earliest known fields of the human 
race, — this is part of the duty and rcsponsi])ility 
that rest, on the shoulders of the Irish race of 
the present. 



230 ETlllCtS OF liOXl>G AND MANLY SrOKT. 



VIII. 

A GLANCE BACKWARD AND FOilWAKD. 

The retrospect induced by the study of these 
Irish aiiti(|uities may well lead the modern reader 
to a consideration of Ireland's native resources 
and })ower to become once more a areat nation. 
The charges of those who declare that her present 
})Overty and unrest are natural and inevitable, are 
easily disproved by the records of })ast and })rcs- 
ent. In all ages of her history, Ireland was re- 
markal)le as a land of abundant wealth. Vener- 
able Bede says of ancient Ireland, that " for 
wholesomeness and serenity of climate, Ireland 

far surpasses Britain The Island 

abounds in milk and honey, is not without vines, 
and is famous for the chase of lish, fowl, stags, 
an I roes." * 

Three hundred years asfo the illustrious Eiia- 
lish i)oet, Spenser, Avho had lived many years in 
Ireland, thus described the country: ''And sure 
it is a most beautiful and sweet country as 
anv under heaven, beinir stoied throuahout witli 
many goodly rivers, replenished with all sorts of 

*Ecd. Hist. bk. i., c. 1. 



A GLANCE BACKWARD AXD FORWARD. 237 

ri.-li al)uiulantlv : si:)rinkled with many very sweet 
islands and iroodlv lakes, like little inland seas, 
that will cany even ships upon their waters ; 
adorned with sfoodlv woods ; also filled with 
cjood ports and havens : beside the soyle itself 
most fertile, tit to yield all kind of fruit that 
<hall be committed thereto. And lastelv, the 
climate most mild and temperate." * 

Two hundred and tiftv years airo. Sir John 
Davies, another eminent Englishman, wrote about 
Ireland as follows : •• I have visited all the prov- 
inces of that kimrdom in sundry journeys and 
circuits, wherein I have observed the sood tern- 
perature of the air, the fruitfulness of the soil, 
the pleasant and commodious seats for habita- 
tions, the safe and larg-e ports and havens lying 
open for traffic into all the west parts of the 
world : the lomr inlets of many naviirable rivers, 
and so many great lakes and fresh ponds within 
the land, as the like are not to be seen in any 
part of Europe ; the rich tishings and wild fowl 
of all kinds : and lastly, the bodies and minds of 
the people endued with extraordinary abilities by 
nature." f 

In Browne's "Essays on Trade," published in 

*" View of the State of Ireland.*' 

t •• Historical Tracts," bj- Sir John Davies, Attorney-Gen- 
eral of Ireland. 



238 ETHICS OF JiOXlXU AM) MANLY STOliT. 

London in the year 1728, this is the report on 
Ireland: "Ireland is, in respect of its situation, 
the number of its commodious harbors, and the 
natural wealth which it produces, the fittest island 
to ac(]uirc wealth of any in the European seas ; for 
as by its situation it lies the most connnodious 
for the West Indies, Spain, and the Northern and 
Eastern countries, so it is not only supplied by 
nature with all the necessities of life, but can 
over and above export large quantities to foreign 
countries, insomuch that had it l)een mistress of 
its trade, no nation in Europe of its extent could 
in an ecpial number of years acquire greater 
wealth." 

" Ireland," says Newenham, writing eighty 
years ago on industrial topics, "greatly surpasses 
her sister country, Enu^land, in the as^s^reiiate of 
the endowments of nature. . . . England, 
abounding in wealth beyond any other country 
in Europe, cannot boast of one natural advantage 
which Ireland does not possess in a superior 
decree." * 

"With respect to the soil," says M. Carey 
("Vindicije Ilibernicjxi," Philadelphia, 1823), 
Ireland is blest in the hi<2^hest detrree. Arthur 
Younsr, an Enirlish traveller, who devoted half 

**' Viewof the Natural, Political, and Commercial Circum- 
stances of Ireland," by T. Newenham, London. 1809. 



A GLANCE BACKWARD AND FORWARD. 



239 



his life to agricultuml investigations, has pro- 
nounced sentence on this point, from which there 
is no appeal. He says, comparing England and 
Ireland, that natural fertility, acre for acre, over 
the two kingdoms, is certainly in favor of Ire- 
land."* 

"There is probal:)ly not a country in the world," 
says Newenham, "which, for its extent, is one- 
half so abundantly supplied with the most pre- 
cious minerals and fossils as Ireland.'' f 

It is not too sanguine to express the hope 



* '• Tour in Ireland." Edit. 1780. 

t " There is not a county in Ireland which does not contain 
some valuable mineral or fossil; several of them, it is now 
ascertained, abound with treasures of this sort; and these, for 
the greater part, are most happily situated for the exportation 
of their products, either in a rude or manufactured state." — 
NeirenJiam. 

Ireland contains the following thirty different sorts of 
minerals and fossils, the figures prefixed denoting the number 
of counties in which they have been discovered, viz. : 



2. 


Amethysts. 


2. Garnites. 


4. Pebbles. 


1. 


Antimony. 


7. Granite. 


2. Petrifactions. 


15. 


Coal. 


1. Gypsum. 


1. Porphyry. 


1. 


Cobalt. 


10. Iron. 


1. Silicious sand. 


17. 


Copper. 


1. .Jasper. 


3. Silver. 


1. 


Chalcedony. 


16. Lead. 


6. Slate. 


8. 


Crystals. 


2. Manganese. 


1. Soap-stone. 


9. 


Clays of various 


19. Marble. 


1. Spars. 




sorts. 


1~). Ochres. 


2. Sulphur. 


5. 


Fuller's -earth. 


2. Pearls. 


2. Talc. 


1. 


Gold. 






(1 


' The gold mine a1 


: Croghan, in the 


county of Wicklow, 


)eg£ 


in to attract attention about the year 


1795. According to 



240 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

tli:it at last the sun is rising tVoin the h)n<i- nit>'ht 
of Ireland's sufi'erinir and heroic struiriz:le for a 
nation's rights. It moans nuuh for civilization that 
a people so originally gifted as the Irish shonld 
have tree scope to express its national genins in 
all the forms of art, leann'ng and freedom. The 
ancient glory can be renewed, with increased lustre. 
An island must ])ecome famous for wealth, even 
among the wealthy, that is so full of natural 

a calculation made on the subject, the sum of £10,(X)0 was 
paid, at the rate of £3 15s. per oimce, to the count n- people, 
for the gold which thej^ collected. Before the government took 
possession of the mine, there was foimd one piece of gold 
which weighed twenty-two ounces, and which is believed to be 
the largest ever found iji Europe. From the conunencement 
of the works to June 1801, there, were foimd 590 ounces of 
gold." — yev-enham. 

"Mr. Lawson, an English miner, stated in evidence before 
the Irish House of Commons, that the iron-stone at Arigna 
[the iron-field of Arigna is six square miles in extent] lay 
in beds of from three to twelve fathoms deep; and that it 
could be raised for two shillings and sixpence the ton, which 
is five shillings cheaper than in Cumberland; that the coal in 
the neighborhood was better than any in England, and could 
be raised for three shillings and sixpence the ton; and that it 
e-tended six miles in length, and five in breadth. He also 
stated that fire-brick clay, and free-stone of the best qualities, 
were in the neighborhood, and that a bed of potter's clay ex- 
tended there two miles in length, and one in breadth. Mr. 
Clarke, on the same occasion, declared that the iron-ore was 
inexhaustible. And our distinguished countryman, Mr. Kirwan, 
whose opinions on mineralogical subjects few will attempt to 
refute, affirmed that the Arigna iron was better than any iron 
made from any species of single ore in F^n^lamV—Newfinham. 



A GLANCE BACKWARD AND FORWARD. 241 

resources, of precious and useful minerals, gold, 
siKxr, iron, copper, zinc, antimony, coal, of 
ni;irl)le, porphyry and A^arious building stones, of 
artistic and useful clays, of rare glass-sand, of 
inexhaustil)le fisheries, of incomparable water- 
power, of singular fertility of soil, of rare native 
popular intelligence and versatility of mind ; and, 
added to all these, with a position unequalled for 
commercial advantages, set down in the high- 
road of the world's traffic, the first land in Europe 
from the AVest, where every traveller across the 
Atlantic would land, and whence every traveller 
for the outer world would embark. 

When the world was young, Ireland proved 
her capacity l)y leading in the civilization of 
Xorthern Europe. Even the broken leaves 
and branches of her native customs and litera- 
ture, preserved in this article on ancient weapons 
and games, are proof to the eye and the mind, 
over-riding the aspersions of illiteracy and pre- 
judice. 

In her unexampled struggle of seven centuries, 
during the latter three of which the nation has 
been prostrate, bound, and gagged, the native 
arts and industries and varied learning: have died 
or have been destroyed l)y the stui)id conqueror. 
The language of the Celt has l^een suppressed ; 
])ut he has learned the tongue of his oppressor, 



242 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANJ.Y SPORT. 

and enriched it with memories and imas^inins^s of 
his own. 

And in the latest day, Ireland is stron<2:er and 
more hopeful than when the long fiirht began. 
She is conquering her enemy by the highest 
form of victory — by conversion. 

The illustrious Enirli^hnian, who is leadinir the 
liiiiher morality and intelliirence of his country- 
men, ^Ir. Gladstone, says: "Under the most 
cruel pressure of tyranny and torture, in every 
form, without beino: invested with sufFraire or 
power, the Irish people has maintained its own 
vitality and the integrity of its traditions. . . . 
AVe must reverse the judgment which the civili/.ed 
Avorld has formed, to the effect that England, 
great and pure, and bright in most of the recol- 
lections of her history, has one dark, blurred and 
blotted space on that page which describes her 
dealiniT'S with the sister island, and which, instead 
of beinsj, as it ouirht to l)e, an honor to the 
irreatest of free countries, would be a dishonor 
to the most despotic and enslaved. Irishmen 
will hope, must hope, ought to hope, and in the 
train of that hope will come victory ; and in the 
train of victory, liberty ; and in the train of liberty, 
peace ; and in the train of peace, the restitution 
of that good name to England, which will then, 
indeed, be relieved from the last blot resting 
upon it." 



CANOEING ON THE CONNECTICUT. 



The canoe is the American 1)oat of the past and 
of the future. It suits the American mind : it is 
liglit, swift, safe, graceful, easily moved ; and the 
occupant looks in the direction he is going, in- 
stead of behind, as in the stupid old tubs that 
have held the world up to this time. 

AVho, among the hard workers of our eastern 
cities, needs two months' vacation, and can only 
get away from the desk or office for two weeks ? 

AVho feels the confined work tell on his lungs, 
or his eyes, or shudders at that trenmlousness of 
the shoulders and arms which precedes the break- 
niij^-down from over-work ? 

All this can be cured by the sun and the wind 
and the delicious splash of the river on face 
and breast and arms. Those are they to whom a 
canoe is a srodsend. Thev can set more health 
and strength and memorable joy out of a two- 
weeks' canoe trip than from a lazy, expensive and 

(24:1) 



244 ETHICS OF BOXl.NU AM) MANLY SPORT. 

sea-sick V()ya<j:e to Europe, or three months' 
dawdki at a fashional)le watering-phicc. 

Boats are for work; canoes are for pleasure, 
l^oats are artilicial ; canoes are natural. In a boat 
you are always an oar's-lenirth and a irun wale's- 
height away from Nature. In a canoe you can 
steal up to her bower and peep into her very 
bosom. 

AVliat memories are stored away in the canoe- 
ist's mind ! My friend, Dr. Ramon Guiteras, and 
I have canoed together in many rivers, in the 
same little liacine boat (though we now believe 
that it is preferable to have only one man to a 
canoe) , and we can enjoy rare hours of reminis- 
cence, recallino: delightful scenes and amusino- in- 
cidents from this or that excursion. And let two 
canoeists, strangers, meet : their talk is an end- 
lessly-pleasant comparison. 

Going on this trip on the Connecticut, when 
Ave took our boat to the Boston and Maine depot, 
in Boston, we found another canoe in the bao-o-ao-e 
car. I happened to know one of the gentlemen 
who was tying it up, Mr. Morris Meredith, an 
experienced canoeman ; and with him was a veteran 
of many rivers, Mr. Frank Hubbard, of Boston. 
What a chat of hours we had ! "What rapids we 
ran over again ! What tender touches of memory 
when some river scene familiar to all was brouirht 



CANOEING OX THE CONNECTICUT. 245 

up ! And how unselfishly these two canoemen 
(who were iroinir on a two- weeks' cruise on Lake 
Chaniplain) tore their chart in two, and irave 
us that part which included the Connecticut 
River. 

AVhen Dr. Guiteras and I started from Boston, 
we intended to take water at AVhite-River Junc- 
tion ; ])ut, when we reached that place, we found 
the river full of lo2:s, — the larijfest quantity ever 
cut in one year iroins: down this season. But the 
"end of the logs " was onl}" a few miles above 
the White River; and we were told that, by go- 
ing farther up, we should have it all clear as we 
came down, and miaht follow the loirs toHolvoke. 

So we took our little boat farther up, till we 
came to a favorable spot for launching, and there 
we slid her into the river from a marvellous 
white sand-bank, which ran into the deep, slow 
stream, and from which we took our first glorious 
" header" into the Connecticut. 

All along the river, down to Middletown, hun- 
dreds of miles away, we found, at intervals, this 
remarkable kind of sand-bank on which one may 
take a race, and dive directly into deep water. 
And vet the bank is not straight, under water, 
but a rapid incline, easy and pleasant for landing. 

What need of details? Miles in a voyage are 
of no more account than years in a life : they may 



24(3 ETHICS OF boxing and manly sport. 

be filled with commonplace. Men live by events, 
and so they paddle. 

AVc had ten, fifteen, twenty days ahead, if 
necessarv I AVe were rich in this. Hundreds of 
miles of beautiful water, splendid days, a new 
moon, a well -stored locker, and a ])oat that 
danced under us like a duck ! So we started, 
dripping from the embrace of the sweet water. 

"We paddled about fifteen miles, when we saw a 
tempting nook, a pine grove above a sand-bank, 
with a dashing stream ; and, not far withdrawn, 
a comfortable farm-house, where we might l)uy 
milk and eirirs and bread. As we had started 
late, we landed for the night, and one set off for 
the farm-house, while the other made ready for 
supper. 

We had a copious larder. We carried too 
many things, observers said. So we did , Init we 
both liked many things when we stopped for 
meals. Our table was the sand-bank, with a 
rubber blanket spread. Olives, cheese, sardines, 
bacon, Liebiir's extract of beef, — these looked 
well. Then came the farm supplies, — quarts of 
rich milk, a dozen eggs, two loaves of bread, and 
a lot of cooked green peas, thrown in by the 
farmer's wife ; a bottle of good claret. AVhat a 
dinner and supper in one ! Then coflee, then a 
cigar, then the philosophies, — quiet talk as we 



CANOEING ON THE CONNECTICUT. 247 

sat lookino^ at the river with the darkness cominsr 
down, the frosfs soundins: resonant notes over on 
the New Hampshire side, and the white light of 
the young moon trembling up over the dark pine 
hills. Then we wrapped ourselves in our blank- 
ets, and slept till morning. 

We had no tent ; we two had discovered that 
we needed no tent in July or August, though we 
do not advise others to follow our example. For- 
tunately for us, we wake in the early morning 
with the same feelinof of refreshment, — our lunirs 
full of the delicious air, and our faces wet with 
dew. On this first morning, I leaped up at sun- 
rise, shoutino^ : "This is the wav^ Nature meant 
men to live and sleep and wake ! " 

I shall never fors^et that first o'lorious morninij:. 
For an hour before risino', I had lain awake look- 
m^ out at the river, and listenina' to the strange 
country sounds around me. All over the grass 
and low bushes, the spider's webs w^ere stretched, 
Sflisteninii: with dew. What a wonderful night's 
industry ! Those webs were nearly all, or quite 
all, new. The little niijht-toilers had woven them 
over our olive bottle, over the 2:un, over our- 
selves. The field above us was white as snow 
with this incomparable cloth-of-silver. 

As I lay and looked at one of those webs close 
to my face, I saw a strange thing. A little gray- 



21<S ETHICS OF nOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

aml-])lack spider niii up a tall grass hlade, rested 
a iiioiuent, and then ran off, through cnii)ty air, 
to another Idade, six inches off. I looked closer; 
surely he must have a fine line stretched between 
those points, I thought. Xo ; the closest scrutiny 
could lind none. I watched hitn ; he was soon 
oil' airain, straiirht for another ])()int, a foot above 
tile irround, runnin<r on clear space, and turninir 
down and hanging to it, like a monkey, but still 
iroinix ahead. I called Guiteras, and he came and 
saw and examined, and smiled in his wise way 
Avhen he don't know. We could not see the little 
fellow's cable, or railway, or bridge. He was as 
nuich finer than we as we are finer than mas- 
todons. 

And the birds, in that first rich morning speech 
of theirs, full of soft, bub])lin2: iov, not siniiinir, 
but softly and jdmost silently overflowing. Two 
little fellows flew rapidly down to a twig near us, 
and beiran bub])le-bubblinD: as if in a <>;reat flutter 
and hurry ; and immediately they flew^ far and 
high, as for a long journey; at which my philo- 
sophic friend moralized : 

"Those little fcHows are like some canoeists 
who wake up, and don't wait for breakfast ; but 
l)ul)ble-])ubble, hurry-hurry, get-afloat, we-have- 
a-long-way-to-go ! Now, ice don't do that." 

Indeed, we do not. This is what we do. We 



C^VXOEIXG ON THE CONNECTICUT. 21 ) 

light our little alcohol stove, and l)oil two quarts 
of the rich milk, into which we put our prepared 
cotlee (Sanford's, — a great and precious coni- 
p(>und, which we heartil}' recommend to all men 
fond of outing). Then Ave plunge into the river 
for a iT^ood swim, aettinix the first of the sun as he 
comes over the hill. The sand-l)ank is soft to 
land on ; and so up we go to the meadow above, 
for a four-round bout with boxino-.o-loves ; and, 
when this is done, we are in good trim for break- 
fast. 

Here let me say that we were never sorry when 
we selected a white sand-bank or a pine grove to 
sleep in ; the latter to be preferred, on account of 
the. soft pine needles, the healthy fragrance, and 
the absence of mosquitoes. If the sand-bank is 
chosen, lirst scoop out a hollow for the hips and 
shoulders; spread the rubber l)lanket, and then 
the woollen blanket ; turn the latter bag-like up 
from the feet, and draw the rul)ber over all. 
Then vour couch is as soft as a feather-bed, and 
a hundred times healthier. 

After breakfast, two hours of easy paddling, 
during which we keep the gun ready, and usually 
kill about a half dozen birds to enrich our dinner. 
Then follow two hours of hard paddling, which 
prepares us for dinner and a rest. After this, 
two hours of easy paddling, and two hours of 



2')0 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPOKT. 

h:ird paddling. Then supper; after ^vhich, a 
slow and easy, meditative paddle in search of 
pine jrrove or sand bank. This was our reirular 
daily programme, and its worth was shown l)y 
our excellent condition when we reached the end 
of the river. 

Events hy the way — how shall I recall them, 
crowded as they are ? We were upset : it was in 
this wav. AVe had carried our boat round a fall, 
where the logs ran so furiously that nothing else 
had a chance to run. At about eight o'clock in 
the evenin2: we floated her, below the falls, in- 
tending just to paddle down till we found a place 
to sleep. AVe did not know, from the dusk, that 
the rapids extended for miles below the falls. 
AVe soon found the water extremely strong" and 
swift, full of eddies and whirls, and mixed up 
with tumbling and pushing logs. It was the 
ujrliest race we had seen or did see on all the 
river. AVe swept down like an arrow for about 
half a mile, and then a thunder-storm of ex- 
traordinary violence and continuity burst. The 
night l)ecame pitch-dark. AVe could only see 
the l)lack river, runninir like a wolf at the gun- 
wale, and the liirhtnim; ziirzagsring the nii2:ht 
above. Suddenly, we realized that the logs on 
our left were stationary, while those in the stream 
on our right were tearing down like battering- 



CAXOEIXG OX THE CONNECTICUT. '2ol 

rams. So long as you go with the logs they are 
irentle as friendly savaires. just rul)1)ino: vou softlv 
like liviniT thinirs, and movable ^\ itli a tinirer. 
But get fast, and let them come down on you, 
and the ribs of a boat will smash like a match- 
box under their brutal drive and the iasrired libres 
of their tapered butt-ends. The logs on our left 
were stationary ; but the ra[)id water boiled up 
'between them. AVe ran swiftlv alon<x two a'reat 
logs — then suddenly stopped. An immense log 
had been forced up and across its fellows, and as 
its fiirther end was driven swiftlv forward, its 
heavy butt came straight for the canoe. Dr. 
Guiteras got the first blow, on the head and 
shoulder, which rather keeled us. Then the Io<r 
took me fairlv on the chest, and over and down 
we went. For some seconds, Guiteras's feet 
bavins: ixot fast somehow in the boat forward, he 
was in a bad wav ; but he soon kicked free, and 
we swam at our ease with the boat down the 
river. 

To men who can swim well enouirh not to lose 
their presence of mind by a sudden u})set, there 
is little danirer in canoeimr — i:)ro])ablv no more 
than in ridinir. It is well, thouirh, to know what 
to do when vou find vourself rollimr into the 
water. When you come up, the canoe is, of 
course, bottom-side up. By catching hold of her 



2^j2 ethics of boxing and 3Ianlv .spout. 

keel, she is easily righted. If there bo two 
swimmers, they should take the two sides, hold- 
ing her with one hand and swimming with the 
other. They can i)ass through any kind of sea 
in this fashion, safely, and even with pleasure. 
W there be onl}' one in the canoe, he ought to 
hold her by the stern or painter ring with one 
hand, and swim with the other. If he attempt 
to hold her by the side he will surely upset her 
again. It is good drill to upset your canoe in 
safe water half a dozen times, and 2:et used to it, 
as we did on the day following our ducking. 

We lost, strange to say, only a few insignificant 
articles. Everything in the locker was safe, and 
even dry, includinir our watches. The irun had 
not rolled out. 

To go into further detail would s:'ive the affair 
more weight than it deserves. I shall only say 
that in our difficulty Ave were kindly and courage- 
ously helped by Mr. Woodman, a farmer on the 
shore, for whom we shall long keep a friendly 
feelinix. 

This was our only mishap of a serious nature. 
Of course, we got into many tight places ; canoe- 
ists must expect it. But w^e emerged without 
turning a hair, and w^e paid for all our troubles 
with endless interest and enjovment. 

We laughed at all thinirs that came : at a 



CANOEING ON THE CONNECTICLT. 253 

memory of last year ; at simple questions by the 
country lads, who sat with us at times while we 
feasted, but who never would join us, being shy 
and proud ; at a certain stupid kind of bird that 
waited every day to be shot ; we laughed infinitely 
at the loirs, when we learned their ways : we 
named them, patted their rouoii backs, or rubbed 
the old bald ones ; we leaped out and rode on 
them, and tried to walk on them like the logmen, 
and always tumbled in, and came up blowing and 
lauorhins:. 

This reminds me of a story. We had stopped 
near a camp of logmen, and they paid us a visit. 
Among them was a big brawny fellow, who evi- 
dently was full of conceit, and who, we were 
quietly told, had been bragging all the season of 
his prowess as a boxer. It was Sunday evening, 
and he was dressed as a heavv swell, cloth trou- 
sers, silver watch, a " biled "' shirt, etc. AVhen 
the loof<rers saw the boxinsr-o'loves, they wanted 
their heavy man to spar. Guiteras (the best 
heavy-weiiiht ever known at Harvard and the 
Cribb Club) was willing to set-to with him. But 
the big fellow "didn't feel well to-day"; he 
would only smile in a superior way. 

At last we sfot afloat and shoved oft'. Then the 
big fellow jumped up and ran out on some logs in 
the river, and bared his arm to the shoulder. 



254 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

"Look at that!" he shouted, as his biceps 
crci)t up to his shoulder like a cat. 

At that moment, he slipped o(V the log and dis- 
appeared in the deep water, starched shirt, watch, 
cloth trousers and all : and the hills roared in 
concert with the loirmen and canoemen as he 
floundered out and crept, dripping, to the shore. 

We had another queer experience with an an- 
taironist who '' took it out of us,'' at least for a 
day — the sun. We make a point of wearing as 
little covering as possible — no hats, no sleeves, 
no shoes while in the boat. Healthy men are 
never sun-struck. Alcohol-stroke or toil-stroke 
or stomach-stroke is the real name of sun-stroke. 
If the bare head feels warm in a boat, moisten it 
and it becomes deliciously cool. 

But sun-burn is another thing, and it must be 
looked to until the skin touirhens. It must not 
be cooled with water, for every drop becomes a 
burning lens, to score a deeper mark. On our 
fourth day out we were badly sun-l)urnt. Guite- 
ras on that day had swam from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m., 
making about fifteen miles. The sun had taken 
hold of our shoulders, arms and face, and next day 
we were both feverish and cross-irrained. Every 
movement was painful. We stopped at a village 
and bought half a pound of bi-carl)onate of soda 
(connnon 1)aking soda). That night we made a 



CANOEING OX THE CONNECTICUT. 255 

thick solution, poured it over the burnt parts and 
put on tight cotton shirts with long sleeves In 
the morning the pain was gone, though the 1)1 is- 
tered flesh remained. 

Here is an experience of " cures " for sun-burn ; 
we tried many remedies, some on one arm, some 
on another ; some on our faces, and others on our 
necks. AVe tried Nature's remedy — Jet it alone — 
and the l)urns treated in this way were the first 
to ijet well. Moral : do nothino* for a sun-burn 
1)ut to take it out of the sun for a dav or two. 

As we came down the river one thinir was 
noticeable and very enjoyable — the courtesy and 
kindness of every one on the banks. At Brattle- 
lioro we found two ijentlemen who owned canoes 
(Mr. Harry Lawrence and Mr. Fred. L. Howe), 
who lent us a pair of single paddles, and who were 
otherwise exceedingly kind. 

At Springfield we stopped long enough for me 
to lecture in the evening (by previous arrange- 
ment). There was a large audience, and Guiteras 
sat on the platform, brown as an Indian, and fell 
asleep. Fortunately he was shielded by a large 
tropical plant. AVe stopped that night at the 
hospitable house of my friend Father O'Keefe, of 
West Springfield, who made the hours short for 
us. 

We had been told that the beauty of the Con- 



2")() ETHICS OF ROXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

noctic'ut ended at Springfield ; ])ut it is not so. 
Indeed, one of the loveliest stretehes lies between 
ILirttbrd Jind Middletown, though the river under 
^It. Tom and Mt. Ilolyoke is surpassingly beau- 
tiful. 1 never saw more delightful scenery than 
in the river valley just a])ove and ])elow Xorth- 
ampton. 

And let no canoeist pass Springfield without 
visiting the famous United States arsenal, where, 

" From floor to ceiling, 
Like a huge organ, rise the burnished arms." 

Nowhere in the world is there a nobler view than 
from the tower of this building. This is a super- 
lative word, l)ut it was the opinion of the great 
Humboldt, who, on a famous European river, 
said: "There is nothing finer than this, except 
the view from the Arsenal at Springfield." 

At Hartford, the Canoe Club met us most 
kindly, and its commodore, Mr. Jones, made our 
stay bright and our departure memorable. 

From Hartford to Middletown is one of the 
finest stretches of the Connecticut, and it is bv 
no means low-banked or monotonous. One of 
the peculiarities of the river is that it is almost 
as wide and apparently as deep at Hanover as in 
this latest reach. 

It is not necessary to go a great distance up 



H 
I 

m 

o 

c 



o 

H 
I 

m 



< 

m 

03 




% 




I 

■U 



,? 




7, > f V: • ' fi 



k/.y'r Vl*'f^''' 



%i • ■,-,-.■ ■^ ' 'Sir 



'II? 



11 



' \ 




1^ iii^'j;^'-'- 



ii 



lJL 



f i^ • ' 



^M^K 



CANOEING ON THE CONNECTICUT. 257 

the Connecticut to find splendid canoeing water. 
If one had only a week's time, and entered the 
river at Brattleboro', or below Turner's Falls, he 
would find enough beauty to remember for a life- 
time. 

The distances on the river appear to be quite 
unknown to residents on the banks, who evidentlv 
judge by road measurement. We found, in most 
cases, that the river distance was at least a third 
to a half lono'er than the road. 

One of our rarest pleasures came from paddling 
for a few miles up the smaller rivers that run into 
the Connecticut. They are invariably beautiful, 
and the smaller ones are indescribable as fairy- 
land. 

One stream, particularly (1 think it is a short 
distance below White-River Junction, on the New 
Hampshire side), called Bromidon, was, in all re- 
spects, an ideal brook. It had the merriest voice ; 
the brownest and most sun-flecked shallows ; the 
darkest little nooks of deep, leafy pools ; the most 
happy-looking, creeper-covered homesteads on 
its banks. A^^e could hardly paddle into it, it 
was so shallow ; or out of it, it was so beau- 
tiful. Guiteras wanted to write a poem about it. 
" The name is a poem in itself," he said ; " any 
one could write a poem a])out such a stream." 
All the way down the river his muttered " Broni- 



258 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPOKT. 

idon ! " \vas like the self-satistied l)ubble-bub])le 
of the morninir birds. 

This leads me to say that, in the rapid growth 
of canoeini!:, whieh is surely coinino:, it is to be 
hoped that the paddle will be the legitimate 
means of propulsion, and not the sail. If men 
want to sail, let them get keel-boats and open 
Avater. The canoe was meant for lesser surftices. 
Indeed, the smaller the I'iver, the more enjoyable 
the canoeino-. A few feet of surface is wide 
enough. With the quiet paddle, one can steal 
under the overhan<>inir 1)0U2:hs, drift silently into 
the deep morning and afternoon shadows ; study 
the ever-changing banks, birds, even the splendid 
drairon-flies and butterflies amono- the reeds and 
rushes. 

As an athletic exercise, paddling is one of the 
best, or can easily l)e made so. A canoe trip of 
a couple of weeks, diversified by two good swims 
daily, will bring the whole muscular system into 
thorouii'li workimr condition. Dr. Guiteras, Avho 
has had unusual experience in athletic training, 
and has given it special attention, is of opinion 
that no oilier exercises are so excellent as paddling 
and swimming in conjunction. 

A word about the loijs. Thev are not so bad 
as they look, nor as their general reputation. 
We should, of course, prefer a river without 



CANOEING OX THE CONNECTICUT. 259 

them ; and canoeists on the Connecticut can easily 
avoid them by finding out when they start and 
cease running. But they always keep in the cur- 
rent ; they people the river with odd and interest- 
inor fellow-vova<>ei"s, and they are as harmless as 
sheep in a meadow wdien you know how to handle 
them. 

Since this trip on the Connecticut, we have 
canoed many other rivers, some of them streams 
of much o^reater volume. We had in these the 
width of w^ater, the calm greatness of the flow, 
the splendid reaches unbroken by falls and rapids 
and dams ; but we often missed the over-hanoino* 
branches, the flash and twitter among the leaves, 
the shadows that made the river look deep as 
the sky, and the murmur of the little brown 
brooks that are lost in the s^reat stream, leavinof 
onlv their names, like Bromidon, clinii'in": to the 
water like naiads. 



DOWN THE SUSQUEHANNA IN 

CANOE. 



''This river runs pjilpably down hill!" said 
my friend in the other boat, as our two canoes 
rounded a sweeping curve, and ran down an 
unbroken slope of half a mile. 

So it did. Beautiful ! That first air-borne 
sensation of a sheer slide was not beaten on the 
next hundred miles of river. The water Avas not 
three feet deep ; clear as air — every pebble seen 
on the bottom, and none larger than your hand; 
and the whole Avide river slipping and sliding like 
a irreat sheet of o'lass out of its frame ! At the 
foot of the sloping water was a little rapid, our 
first on the Susquehanna, which is even more 
truly a river of rapids than a river of bends, 
tlioui!:h the latter is the meaninij of its melodious 
Indian name. 

AVe had stopped paddling on the " palpable 
hill," and we let the stream carry our canoes into 

(201) 



262 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

the noisy rapid at its foot. Zigzag it crossed the 
riv^er ; and as I led into a well-defined rushing Vi 
ainiino: at the an<rle, I felt the first aTiiniT)le of 
a rock alonii; the keel. Next moment we were 
pitching on sharp little white-caps below the rush, 
and scooting down toward the swift, deep water. 

We had launched our canoes at Binahamton, 
J. Smith and I, because the river above is too 
low in September. Shame that it should be so ! 
The l)eautiful hills above Binii^hamton, that a 
few years ago were clothed with rich foliage for 
unbroken leagues, are shorn like a stubble-field. 
The naked stumps are white and unsightly on the 
mountains, like the bones of an old battle-field. 

A monster has crept up the valley and devoured 
the strono- youns: trees. Every trunk has been 
swallow^ed ; and the maw of the dragon is belch- 
ing fur more. On both sides of the river, and 
through many of the valleys that open l)ack to 
the farm-lands, the railroads wind like serpents ; 
and every foot-loniz' joint in their vertebrae is the 
trunk of a twenty-year old tree. The hills stand 
up in the sun, cropped and debased like convicts ; 
their l)eauty and mystery and shadowed sacred- 
ness torn from them ; their silence and loneliness 
replaced by the selfish chirp of the grasshopper 
among the dry weeds. Never did the hard utility 
of civilization appear less disguised and less 



DOWN THE SUSQUEHANNA. 263 

lovely. All Indian warrior be2:2"ini2: on Broad- 
way ; a buffalo from the wilds 3'oked to a market- 
wao'on ; any de2:radin2: and antaii'onistic picture 
of life were more endurable and more hopeful 
than these majestic ridges stripped and burned 
into commonplace and repulsive bareness. 

But the injured hills, like all old and strong 
children of nature, curse their destroyer as they 
die. The railroads have killed the trees, and the 
death of the trees is as surely killing the river. 
Year by year its life-blood decreases ; it grows 
narrower, shallower, yet more fitfully dangerous. 
Scores and hundreds of miles it runs, drinkinii' in 
the volume of the streams ; but in all this distance 
its own volume does not increase. 

Marvellous and shocking ! The Susquehanna is 
no deeper at Harrisburg than at Towanda. Its 
evaporation equals its growth. The shorn hills 
can hold no moisture. The rain and dew are 
dried in the morninof sun like a breath on a mir- 
ror. But when the heavy clouds roll in and rain 
for weeks, there are no thirsty roots to hold the 
water, no myriad-leafed miles to be drenched 
before a rill is formed below. Then the dried 
veins arc suddenly and madly filled, tearing down 
to the lowlands with unchecked violence. The 
river, swollen with drunken fury, becomes the 
brute that civilization is always making — leap- 



'Ji)4: ET11IC8 OF BOXING AND MANLY Sl'OHT. 

ing at the bridges, devouring the tields, dehiging 
farm-houses and streets, until its fury is ghitted 
on the blind seltishness that irave it birth. 

Pitts))urgh riots and Susquehanna devastations 
are children of the same jjarents, — Greed and 
Ignorance. Beautiful trees and beautiful souls, 
steeped in the coal-pits, scorched by the cinders, 
thundered over bv the roaiiniz wheels that carrv 
treasures to the cultured and luxurious, there is a 
curse in your detilement and mutilation. Yet our 
moralists and socialists will not listen and under- 
stand. 

But who shall be didactic in a canoe on a river 
that laughs into little rapids every few hundred 
yards? It was delightful to see Smith take his 
tirst rapid. He had only canoed before in still 
water. A few miles below Binirharaton we heard 
the break of the water, and saw the zi<rzaor line 
ahead. Not knowin<z the nature of the thin*^, 
whether it was a dam, an "eel-rack," a wood- 
shoot, or a natural shoal, I paddled ahead, and 
took a look at it. There was just one place in 
the line, about three feet wide, where the water 
rushed down like a sluicewav ; and we must iro in 
there. On one side of this passage, a thin spur 
of black stone rose above the surface, and made 
a good mark to steer by ; but on the other side of 
the. sluice was a great round stone, covered with 



DOAVX THE SUSQUEHANNA. 265 

about six inches of rushing water. I paddled 
back and asked Smith to observe exactly where 
my boat entered ; and, turning her head, I let 
her £ro in " with the swim." It was a deliohtful 
little shoot cf about tifty yards, and when I had 
reached the smooth water, I turned to see my 
friend coming down. He neared the rapids, not 
letting his boat drift, but paddling with all his 
force, and moving at tremendous speed down the 
swift water. He was not heading for the open- 
'uvj:, but was cominir straia'ht for the bis: stone at 
the riirht side. Xo use shoutinir ; the din of the 
water drowned all other sound. I expected to 
see him strike and swing round, and probably 
get upset and rolled over; but instead of that, 
the bow of his plucky little boat rose at the stone 
like a steeple-chaser, till I saw half her keel in 
the air, — and then over she came, without a 
scratch, and buried her nose in the deep water 
below the stone, while the canoeist sat straiofht, 
laughing with excitement, and dripping with the 
shower of spray from the plunge. 

"How did it feel?" Tasked.^ 

" Glorious ! " he shouted. 

He thouijht he had come down secundum artem. 
But before niijht he knew all about it, for the 
river was so low that every shallow had an angry 
brawl. Next day, with a steady hand and cool 



'2(]Q ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY 8POKT. 

head, he found the wav out for nie when I had 
2:ot into a bad ])hice. 

It was in this wav : I had none in first on rather 
a lono^ and rouirh descent. There was a bend on 
the rapid, and in going round I struck heavily 
and unexpectedly, and swung right athwart the 
race, amidships fast on a huge brown shelf-rock. 
The divided water cauirht bow and stern, and 
held the canoe aofainst the stone. I ijot one foot 
out against the rock and stopped her trembling : 
and there I was, fost. I could hold her steady, 
but could do no more. The stone was so shaped 
that I could not stand on it. The water ran deep 
and strong, and if I pushed otf altogether I 
should be apt to go down broadside or stern first. 
So I sat thinkin<r for a second or two ; and then I 
looked back to wave to Smith to keep off. I saw 
his boat, but not him. He was swimming, "ac- 
coutred as he was," right across the river above, 
to irive me a hand. His iud<rment had told him 
that I was l)adly placed. In a few minutes he 
had reached the head of the rapid, stepped from 
stone to stone till he caught hold of my "painter," 
and next moment my bow came round to the race, 
and down I shot like a rocket. In a few minutes 
he followed in the same course. 

Just below that rapid we had an unpleasant 
experience, — the only one on our whole voyage. 



■« -y 



DOWN THE SUSQUEHAXXA. '2ij 

We fell in with a sordid lout, and up to this day 
I am sorry we did not thrash him or duck him in 
the river. AVe had gone up to a farm-house on 
the bluti' to buy milk and e^irs for dinner. Two 
old women had verv kindly served us. and we 
were coming away when the lout appeared. He 
was evidently the master of the place : a big, 
raw-boned, rasfored-whiskered, and dirtv-skinned 
brute. He had just caught a snake, about two 
feet lonof, and he held it wriofo-jinor in his hand, 
while he laughed a vile chuckle, and opened his 
filthy mouth in derision as the older woman, his 
mother, probably, fled, almost screaming with 
terror. Then he came toward us, and seeins: 
Smith's bare ankles he deliberately put the snake 
down to bite them, chucklins: all the time, and 
mumblino* : "You hain't 2:ot the sand I He won't 
bite, /ain't afeard. I've got the sand, /ain't 
afeard o' snakes," and so on. 

^Ve stepped away frcm him, and at last told 
him, in a tone he minded, to drop the snake. He 
did so at once. His mother said to him from the 
door : "If you did that to me, and I was a man, 
rdkiU ^oi(/" 

Then the brute insisted on sellinir us ten cents' 
worth of honey, which he called " Th' bam'f a 

V 

thaousand flaours " (balm of a thousand flowers) ; 
and, cominij to the boat, he besfsed for a drink, 



2()S KTIIICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SI»Oi:T. 

and, at the last inoniont, wanted us to buy a pfal- 
Ion of "old stock ale, seven year old." 

It took us some hours to foriret the 1)arl)arian. 
A handsome young trapper, logman, and railroad 
worker, lower down, who knew liini well, told us 
that the lout was known aloni>: the river as a cow- 
ard, a brairiCart, and ''a man that was no irood, 
anyhow." 

The Susquehanna is, in one respect, quite un- 
like anv other river on which I have canoed. 
There is an endless recurrence of half-mile and 
mile lonir deep stretches, and then a brawlinir 
rapid. The river rarely maivcs a bend without 
shoalin2: to a foot or two of water; and this is 
invariably ended bv a bar, with a swift descent 
beyond. These shallow places have been utilized 
as *' eel-racks," by drivinir stakes or i)ilinir stones 
in a ziu-zai; line across the river. From Towanda 
down to AVilkesbarre, with a l)old, wooded hill, 
or '• mountain," always on one side, and some- 
times on both, the deep stretches ])ec()me deeper 
and Ioniser ; but in a very few ])laces is the " slow 
water" more than two or three miles in lenirth. 

"We had brouirht a small tent with us, and we 
carried some provisions, — prei)ared coffee, Lie- 
big's extract of beef, a jar of delicious butter 
(which we broke and lost on the third day), a 
can of corned beef, some " hard tack," and some 



DOWN THE SUSQUEHANXA. 269 

bacon. AYe head tin cups, a little alcohol stove, 
and a bottle of very old Jamaica (for the malaria). 

We had two canoes of the " Shadow" model, 
Mr. Smith's, a Rushton, decked and hatched ; 
mine without hatches, and built by Partelow, of 
Riverside, ]Mass., — both good boats of their kind, 
from good builders. But the " Shadow " is not a 
ofood kind of canoe for river work. Her keel is 
too long and too deep. This makes her heavy in 
turning sharp curves ; and, when she runs on a 
stone, — even a round or flat one, — the keel 
throws her on one side ; and this is reallv a 
canoe's unpardonable sin. A canoe should have 
no keel. The '• Shadow " model is reallv not a 
canoe at all, but simply a light boat. 

The Indian round-bottomed, birch-bark canoe 
is the best model for American rivers ; and it is a 
pity that our builders do not keep it as their radi- 
cal study. It should l)e modified and improved, 
of course ; narrowed for double paddling, and 
shortened and lightened for portage ; l)ut its first 
principle, of a bottom that can run on or over a 
stone without capsizing, ought never to be for- 
gotten. In my opinion, paper will win against 
lapstreak in the canoe of the future ; all that is 
needed to insure this is a method of patching the 
wound on a paper bottom. 

Never have I seen river-water so clear and 



270 KTHICS OF BOXING AM) MANLY SPOi:T. 

wholesome as the Susquehanna. One of our daily 
pleasures was to dip our briirht tin cups into the 
river, drink a mouthful, and pour the rest into 
our mouths without swallowiuir. 

The sun flamed on the water ever}' day of our 
trip ; the records ashore made it the hottest fort- 
niirht of the year. So we lovincfly huiriicd the 
banks when there was any shade ; and, unex- 
pectedly, this hal)it led us into the two greatest 
pleasures of our voyage. 

The first occurred a tew miles above the villaofe 
of Appalaken. We left the main river to run to 
the left of an island, where the stream was onl}^ 
twenty feet wide. The island was perhaps three- 
quarters of a mile long, and the trees on ])oth 
sides reached over, interlaced, and made the 
stream as dark as late evenins:. There was a 
turbulent little rapid at the entrance, as we swung 
in from the big river and the noonday blaze ; and 
the water all down the narrow stream ran with 
incredible rapidity. When we felt ourselves car- 
ried alone: in this silent cool shadow, and looked 
up at the lisrht siftins: throu<rh the dense foliaire, 
we both exclaimed, " This is too lovely to be re- 
peated ! " And the word was true. Such a super- 
lative canoe-ride one could hardly ever expect to 
enjoy twice. We laid down our paddles, only 
fearinsf to come to the end of our marvellous irreen 



DOWN THE SUSQUEHANNA. 271 

archway, with its dark gleaming floor ; and when, 
at last, we did sweep out into the broad glare of 
the river, we sighed and looked back wistfully, 
as men will. Ten minutes later we were wadins: 
over a shallow place and hauling our canoes by 
the painter. 

The other peak of our enjoyment was reached 
about four miles below the town of Athens. Ah, 
me ! how we did enjoy our evening in that little 
tow^n ! But let the tale bide a little. VTe had 
gone down some miles below the bridge at Athens, 
where the river widened out and grew consumedly 
slow and commonplace. There w\as an island, with 
a narrow openinir to the left and a rouah little 

■I. c o 

rapid at the entrance, — almost a repetition of the 
Appalaken archw^ay. After that other experience 
we did not hesitate, but turned from the big sheet 
of water, and shot into the narrow turmoil, to the 
left of the island. Again we dashed into a splen- 
did sweep, but about three times as wide as the 
Appalaken archway. The water was about four 
feet deep all the way down, and the bottom was 
of small pebbles, every one as clearly seen as if 
laid on a mirror. Once more our paddles were 
crossed before us, and we sat in profound enjoy- 
ment of water, wood, and sky, as we were swept 
along by the current. Half-way down, we landed 
on the island, intending to float in the w^ater and 



212 ETHICS OF BOXIXG AND MANLY SrORT. 

be carried down after the canoes, holdinij on bv 
the '' painter." 

And here we made a discovery that will re- 
donnd to the fame of Athens, — a discovery which 
we present to that town in memory of the iienial 
hosi)itality of one of its chief citizens, the Rev. 
Father Costello, who ofJive us an eveninir not to 
be forgotten. Here let me tell how, baked and 
l)Lirned and tired and luinary and thirsty, on the 
night precedinir our discovery, we walked up to 
the house of the good priest at sunset, and were 
met at the open door with outstretched hands of 
welcome ; and how, before a word was spoken, 
we were handed two srreat iroblets -tilled with iced 
wine, — rich, fruity, American wine: and how we 
sat down to a dinner for epicures, even if it were 
Friday : and how we then were taken into the 
little moonlit irarden, with itockI ciijars, and other 
comforts, while our amiable and accomplished 
host charmed us with quaint tancy and strange 
learning, and played for us on the flute so softly 
that it could not be heard fifty feet away, but so 
exquisitely that we knew we were listening to 
the soul of a i)oct and a master ; and how simply 
and tenderly he told us that he had discovered a 
similarity between his little Athens in the Penn- 
sylvania hills and the innnortal Athens of the 
Acropolis. 



DOWX THE SUSQUEHAXXA. 273 

"Look around," cried FatlieT Costello, point- 
ing to the perfect circle of bold mountains, that 
were blue even in the moonlight ; " those hills are 
a perfect coronet. This, too, is the City of the 
Violet Crown ! " 

'Now for our discovery : we give it to Athens 
with only one condition, — that henceforth the 
citizen who shall call his town Aythens shall be 
disfranchised or excluded from good society, or 
l)oth. 

Half-way down between the island and the 
shore we plunged into the swift current, intend- 
ing to float after the canoes, holding on by the 
painter, — a most enjoyable and interestino; thino- 
to do. When you lie at utter rest in the w^ater 
and watch the shore go by, it seems too delicious 
for waking life ; but this is not the best. Let 
your w^hole body and head sink well under the 
surface, keeping your eyes open ; the river be- 
comes an aquarium, — 3^ou see ihQ weeds, the 
stones, and the fishes as clearly almost as if they 
were in the air. This is because you have no 
motion except the motion of the w^ater itself; 
your eyes are flxed in a crystalline medium, and 
nothing can express the sense of ease, of utter 
luxury, which the supporting fluid gives to every 
limb. You are lolling on or in an air-cushion 
without surface or friction. The mere swimmer 



274 ETHICS OF IJOXING AND MANLY SPOUT. 

can never feel this, nor even he who is towed after 
a bout, — thouirh that is an ideal method of taking 
an inviiroratinir bath. To see the river's inner 
life, and to enjoy this complete luxury of resting 
in the water, you must Hoat in and with the 
stream, without effort or motion, supported l)y 
the painter of your boat. 

But our discovery waits : half-way down this 
lovely and lonely island passage we plunged in, 
as I have many times said ; and we had no sooner 
struck bottom than Smith uttered a strange shout 
and threw up his hands. I was startled till I 
looked at his face ; and then I was puzzled beyond 
measure l)y his motions and expressions. With 
his hands al)ove his head, he seemed to be danc- 
ing on the bottom of the river, and with every 
step he gave a shout of pleasure. While I looked 
at him, astonished, I began to feel the infection 
of his strano-e conduct. A thrill like soft music 
ran throuirh me, and seemed to tinirle in my ears 
and under mv tonirue ; and every movement I 
made brought a repetition of the inexpressible 
sound, for a sound it was, like a musical echo. 

*' What is it?'' I cried at length. ^' This is 
wonderful ! " 

" It is a musical beach, — a singing beach ! " he 
answered. " And I should say it was the finest 
in the world ! " And then he said, for by strange 



DOWN THE SUSQUEIIAXXA. 275 

chance he knew something about such a queer 
thing, '• I believe there are onlv two or three 
'singing beaches' known in the whole world: 
and this certainlv must be the be.^t." 

You may be sure we lingered over that mellif- 
luous swim. AVe pushed the boats ashore, and 
went in for the weird, sweet music of the stream. 
It was enough to make one howl with sheer sen- 
suous enjoyment. As we pushed or scraped the 
pebbly bottom with our feet we felt or heard. I 
hardly know which, a rich resonance passing 
through us, clear and sweet as the soft note of 
distant cow-bells. The slightest displacement of 
the gravel brought it up, as if it had just escaped 
from the earth. 

AVhen we had ti*ied it a hundred and a thousand 
times, it occurred to us that neither could hear 
the note caused bv the other, — we onlv heard 
the sound of our own feet. Asfaiu the tenacious 
memory of my friend found an explanation. He 
remembered that divers can onlv talk under 
water b^- placing their heads on the bottom. 

Another discoverv here : vou can't iret vour 
head to the bottom of a four-foot stream, unless 
you catch hold of a stone on the bottom and pull 
yourself down. You can dive, and £ret vour 
hands or feet or knees down ; ])ut not vour chin. 
AVe are both good swimmers, and we tried in 



2715 ETHICS OF liOXTXG AND MANLY SPOUT. 

vain. AN'liilc under wtiter, on the dive, or crawl- 
in<>" alonir the bottom on hands and knees, the 
river was a drear and silent sluice. At last we 
fot our eh ins on the ])ott()ni, eaeli on a stone, and 
we heard it, — oh ! we heard such melodious dis- 
cord, such a mixture of near and remote echo-like 
sweetness as can only be imagined in dreams. 
The river l)eeame as full of nmsic as it w^as of 
water, and the inexpressible fusion of notes played 
throusfh our senses like intoxication. Smith was 
twenty or thirty feet from me, and in dee})er 
w^ater ; ])ut every swee}) he gave the peb1)les 
sounded to me like a thousand cow-bells 
melted into liquid harmony. Never, until we no 
to the same spot again, shall we hear such strange, 
suppressed, eltin music. 

Now, Athens, go down and bathe at the place 
where; we had this intoxicating bath ; and believe 
that never was there siren or naiad in the rivers 
or springs of old Athens to ravish with sweeter 
melody than your own beautiful Susquehanna 
holds for you. 

It would be better, perhaps, if I could follow 
the river features seriatim, as we saw them ; but 
then there are so many miles of every river that 
are only one uninteresting feature. No one cares 
for the names of little unheard-of villages, them- 
selves quite featureless. Some whole days we 



DOWN THE SUSQUEHANXA. 277 

(lid nothiuir l)ut run insiijiiificant rai^ids, until at 
last we came to despise them, so that we some- 
times I'an our canoes at them without searchinsf 
for an opening, and for our pains always narrowly 
escaped upsetting, and always, too, had to get 
out and wade. The rapids of the Susquehanna 
teach as much patience and wariness as the logs 
of the Connecticut. You can manage both, like 
little children, when 3'ou take the trouble of find- 
ing the right way ; otherwise they will crush your 
boat and you like the insensate brutes they are 
wdien opposed. 

About ten miles above Towanda we entered on 
a memoral)le experience. The river was w'ide, 
about half a mile, and w^e heard an unusually 
loud rapid about a quarter of a mile ahead. It 
was noon, and we landed on a pretty shaded bank 
on the right, to eat our dinner. The day was 
hot, and the shade was luxurious. We <rave 
plenty of time to cooking and eating and swim- 
minof and smokinof, and, like Brer Rabbit, " en- 
joy in' the day that passes." 

About two o'clock, a poor-looking fellow, in a 
poorer-looking old fiat-bottomed boat, drifted 
past, going tow^ards the rapid water. We asked 
him on which side the current ran. 

"Don't know," he answered, sounding all his 
r's like a true native : "I was neverr hearr be- 



278 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

foarr. Tin ti straiigoiT ! " And, looking anxiously 
ahead, lie drifted towards the breakers. "We 
were then dining, and we watched him for our 
own instruction as we ate. AVe saw the swift 
stream take him, chanirinix his course a little, and 
carry him into the ra[)id. lie went down a few 
boat's lengths and struck. He jumped out, and 
saved the scow, hauling his l)oat back. AVhy he 
did not try to drag her down, instead of coming 
l)ack was a mystery. At last we forizot him ; and 
an hour later we irot aHoat. The lirst thinir we 
saw was the old ])oat, em])ty and aijround, at the 
side of the rapid. The man was nowhere to be 
seen. AVliat had become of him? lie could 
hardly have been drowned, in three or four feet 
of water, however rapid. And yet he had said 
he was a strans^er. 

We paddled to the other side of the river and 
shot down a rare piece of swift water without 
difficulty. "We were in a hurr}^ for the sky behind 
us was *' black as tiumder" with an enormous 
cloud, and already the air was tilled with dead 
leaves from the mountain, carried out on the 
river by the first gusts. A few heavy drops of 
rain struck our faces and arms, and made little 
towers on the river. 

The river was running with extreme rapidity, 
and the increasing wind, right behind us, ruffled 



DOWN THE SUSQUEHANNA. 279 

it into white-caps in a few minutes, and di'ove 
us ahead at an exciting pace. We hardly knew 
what to do, beins: i<2:norant of the manner of 
storms in those parts ; but as the gale was in our 
favor w^e simply steered straight, and held on. 
The stream ran "palpably down hill," deep and 
swift. On our left was a grand mountain, almost 
precipitous, but wooded to the top, and black 
with the comins^ a'loom. The river almost ran 
under its brow. 

As we plunged ahead we heard the sound of 
rapid water aboA^e the roar of the gale ; we had 
no time to search for an opening ; but fortunately 
the water was deeper than usual. We kept to 
the left, as the river fell toward the mountain and 
dashed for the rapid. Two fishermen in a boat 
were running before us, about a hundred yards 
ahead. Suddenly we saw them lurch forward, 
while the boat swung round and the water leaped 
into her. They had kept two yards too far- to 
the left, but they had shown us the way. They 
were in the water up to their waists, holding their 
boat, as we shot past them without a word. They 
looked at us with grim faces, quite silent, as if 
duml)founded. We were fairly lifted over the 
stones of that rapid by the wind and waves ; and 
a few minutes later wc knew what reason we had 
to be thankful, when the whole fury of the storm 
burst on us. 



2S() KTIIICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPOKT. 

We had learned that an unbroken stretch of 
river lay before us, clear to Towanda. six miles 
away. We could see the spire of a church against 
the lurid sky far down the valley. The sky ahead 
was fast fillinir with heaps of dark clouds, racing 
faster than I have ever seen clouds move. Be- 
hind, from horizon to zenith, the air was like a 
slate colored cavern, with masses and feathery 
sheets of dark-brown vapor, tumbling and rush- 
inir low down, so low as to strike the mountain. 
There was no rain — nothinii" l)ut wind, and it 
was riirht astern, and held there bv the towerinir 
mountain on our left. The waves combed out 
before us, hiiilicr than the boats. -AVe could not 
have kept a quarter of a point oti' such a blast. 
We felt the aalc on our backs like a i)hvsical 
pressure. It was a magniticent race. We had 
not even to steer. We sat still and were driven 
straiirht ahead, and, had there been a bend in the 
river, we should have had to run ashore. As 
(juickly as the storm had risen, it subsided or 
passed. Far sooner than I would dare to write, 
we saw the tall bridire at Towanda half a mile 
ahead of us. A\'e had run down five or six miles 
of river in as quick time, 1 think, as canoes could 
safelv travel. 

Before we reached Towanda the storm had 
crossed the mountain and the sun was out. We 



DOWX THE SUSQUEHAXXA. 281 

kept to the left of tlie river, ran under the bridge, 
round tin island, and then dashed through a splen- 
did little rapid, right in front of the city, and ran 
across to a boat-house. 

This reminds me of one of the greatest pleas- 
ures of canoeing on the Susquehanna — the 
courtesy and kindness one meets from every 
one, farmers, townsmen, rivermen, or railroaders. 
Onlv one class of men ^^ant to take advantaire — 
the expressmen. They are the same everywhere 
— exorbitant, if not dishonest, in charge, and 
careless in work. It is not to the credit of the 
express system that a traveller must truly say so 
harsh a thins:. 

At Owego, or Ah-we gah, as we found its old 
Indian name to be. we went to the hotel for 
dinner. VTe were rouizhlv dressed, sunburnt, 
and hunirrv. The landlord, an old man with a 
singularly pleasant face, observed us as we ate. 
Then he went out, pr()l)al)ly to see the canoes, 
which were down at the wharf before his house. 

"Having a good time, are you?" he said, as 
he returned. 

" Yes," we told him ; and we outlined our plan 
for him as we went on eatinir his excellent dinner. 

*' Forty years ago," said the okl man, " I went 
down the Ohio River in a dug-out, just for fun, 
as you are doing. We had a splendid time ; but 



'2S'2 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY STOUT. 

we got strapped, — do you know what that is? 
We spent all our money, and for days and days 
we hadn't a cent. But every one was kind to us, 
and we never wanted for anything. AVe enjoyed 
it all ; and I hope you'll do the same." 

lie shook hands with us warndv. AVhen we 
went to pay our bill, the clerk said, '* All paid 
for, gentlemen. Glad you came to see us. Pleas- 
ant trip down the river ! " 

The kind old landlord was " <i:ettin2: even*' with 
the Oh loans, who liad treated him well forty years 
ai»(). 

•Another pleasant memory from Owego : when 
we went down to the canoes we found that Smith's 
boat was leaking, probably strained on a stone. 
He went to l)ail her out with his tin cup. 

"You want a sponge," said a handsome l)ig 
fellow, in shirt-sleeves, standinir in the little 
crowd on the wharf. AVe hardlv answered, the 
need beinsf obvious. 

"You can't get a sponge ])etween here and 
Ilarrisburir," he added. 

" That is not very consoling." 

" But I'm iroino^ to c^ive vou a biir sponufe," he 
continued. " Come with me and Til Hx you 
out." 

One of us went with him ; he was the chief 
livery-stable-keeper in Owego ; his name was 



i:)OWX THE SUSQUEHANNA. 283 

Dean. lie gave us a tremendous sponge*, which 
was of very great service. 

" Good-by, Mr. Dean; good-by, all of you," 
we said, as we swung out. 

A little dark-faced man had just come down 
the wharf. He was in a hurry. 

" Oh, I say ! " he shouted ; " I bring you the 
compliments of the Owego Rapid. Wanted to 
interview you on the political situation ! " (I may 
say here that our voyage was made during a heated 
National campaign, of which more hereafter.) 
And we heard Dean and the crowd lau2:hin<r at the 
little man, who waved his note-book and pencil. 

It was the first we had heard of " the political 
situation " since leavinof Bins^hamton. I mio^ht 
have mentioned that when we launched our canoes 
near that city we were accompanied to the river 
bank by quite a number of well-wishers, and 
among them two gentlemen from the daily papers 
of Binghamton, who industriously wrote doAvn 
our " views." As we paddled away from the 
wharf at Oweiro we congratulated ourselves that> 
we had broken the last link, and henceforth could 
Cfo alonir like sensible men with no "views" to 
air. But the " situation " had not done with us 
yet. 

Of our nis^hts on the banks of the river the 
details are too varied to be written. We enjoyed 



2!>4: LTIiiCS OF BUXIXU AND 31ANLY SPOUT. 

tlioiii intensely after the first throe days, when 
the heat of the sunl)urn had al)ated. The only 
drawback was caused l)y oiir own })ersistent mis- 
take : we did not pitch our camp early enough, 
and the darkness closed on us before we were 
quite ready for rest. AVe were tempted each da\' 
to go on paddling till the sun had reach(»d the 
tops of the mountains ; and we had not realized 
how the mountains hurry on the sunset. 

The story of one niuht will do for all. ^Vc 
pulled our canoes ashore under a wooded bank, 
tuenty feet high, and i>itched" our camp in a 
loyely little meadow al)oye. It was six o'clock 
when we left the boats. The river was exceed- 
ingly beautiful from our meadow, reminding me 
of the Connecticut in its superb reaches below 
Northampton. Across the riyer, against the 
distant hills, rose the spire of a church ; but there 
was not a house in siirht. The nearest villaae 
was Tioga Centre, fiye miles away. The current 
in the river was almost still ; the water under our 
bank was about ten feet deej). Though we had 
nuich to do Ijefore we lost the sun, we could not 
help giving a few mi mites to drink in the extreme 
beauty of the evening scene. 

Firewood was not to l)e had for the picking u]), 
as usual ; but we found a dead tree, partly fallen, 
supported by its fellows friniiing the river. We 



DOWN THE SUSQUEHANNA. 285 

cut it down in quick time with our axe, chopped 
off some puiiky lengths of the trunk, tied one of 
our painters to the remainder, and "snaked" it 
out of the underbrush. The dry branches l)roke 
and burned like tinder, and the lars^er ones, with 
the trunk, made us a roarino^ fire till morninir. 
That night for supper we broiled some bacon and 
boiled some tinned beef, putting in a h)t of 
Liebig's extract. Then coffee, eked out with our 
precious l)ut ill-fated butter and marmalade. 

Then — let us tell the truth, so that the price 
may be paid — we went to a stack of coarse hay 
in the meadow, and took two great armfuls, 
which w^e spread in our tent, and which was 
softer that niuht than down-of-eider. About the 
hour of this dark deed, the full moon rose over 
the hills and sailed into a sky black-blue, star- 
lit, and absolutely clear from mist or cloud. The 
only vapor to be seen was a slight smoke that 
cluns: m a thin, w^avy line to the middle of the 
river. The only sound, except our own voices, 
was the screech of an owl on the hills and the 
leap of the l)ass in the water. 

The niirht was breathless ; but we raised the 
bottom of the tent, and made a pleasant draft. 
Before ten o'clock we w^ere asleep. IIow long 
that sleep lasted I cannot tell — perhaps three 
hours ; but it was ended in a most awful uproar. 



28G ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT, 

In my sleep I had heard for hours, so it seemed, 
the thunder of rapids and falls greater than Xi- 
airara, into which the canoe was .slipping against 
all my power to steer or stop her. Nearer and 
nearer the horror came ; there were people on the 
shore shoutinir, and one of them blew a whistle 
that would wake the dead, and I sprang up in the 
tent at the same moment that Smith jum[)ed to 
his feet. A\'itliout movinir farther Ave saw the 
cause of the disturbance. AVithin forty yards of 
us ran a railroad, along which was thundering one 
of these interminable coal trains, that are longer, 
I am sure, than any other trains in the world. 
The noise had atiected us both in almost the same 
way ; and we were so completely awakened that 
to sleep again seemed out of the question. 

So we piled up our firewood till the flames illu- 
minated the sombre hills. Then we mixed with 
sugar and water a stifl' dose of our remedy for the 
malaria ; but before enjoying this, the night was 
so warm and lightsome and the river so tempt- 
ing, I i)lunged into the deep water for a short 
swim. AVhcn I came in. Smith was singing ; and 
we sat by the fire and sang on and on, and the 
screech owl stopped to listen ; and the fire and 
the tobacco burned as if the\' enjoyed it ; and it 
was well for the malaria that it did not come 
around that night. 



DOWN THE SUSQUEHANNA. 287 

Suy what you will there is no other form of 
outing that makes possible, within sight of con- 
ventional life and labor, such days and nights of 
utter freedom, health, natural beauty, and manly 
enjoyment. 

But the river proceeds — as the canoes could 
not — below Towanda. There were immense 
stretches where the river widened, and the depth 
nowhere exceeded three or four inches. There 
was little pleasure in wadino' and dras^o^insf our 
boats till the bottoms were worn out ; so we car- 
ried them up to the railroad (which hugs the 
river all the way), and shot the iron rapids till 
we came to fair water ao'ain. 

It was sometime in the forenoon when we ran 
into Wilkesbarre, passing through that lovely 
historic valley, 

"On Susquehanna's tide, fair Wyoming." 

Surely, in all the world, there is nothing to 
exceed the quiet, large beauty of this valley, that 
is enriched with so many forms of wealth ; with 
the stamp of sublimity from the hand of God ; 
with the deep coloring of pathetic and patriotic 
association, and with the })riceless mineral treas- 
ures that lie deep in field and hill. 

*' This is the richest valley on the face of the 
planet," said a Wilkesbarre man to us ; and he 



288 ETHICS OF roxixo and manly spout. 

was only thinking of tlio coal-veins hidden in its 
bosom. 

Bnt let there be a few uncivilized ones, at least, 
who shall reirard the shafts and chinnievs and 
hideous coal-heaps as marks of desecration and 
disease. Wealth and civilization, you say; aye, 
wealth and civilization for the owners of the 
mines, for the lordly " coal operators," whose 
summer i)alaces are set on the shoulders of the 
noble hills. But for the thousands of workers in 
the l)owels of the earth ; for those whose minds 
and souls, as Avell as bodies, are darkened with 
the coal-grim; for their wives and little children, 
existins: that a race of subject-workers may be 
perpetuated, what portion of our wealth and 
civilization belongs to these? Does civilization 
necessarily mean the degradation and starvation 
intellectually and spiritually of ten, for the lux- 
ury and over-devel()])ment of one? 

Civilization impinges on humanity in Pennsyl- 
vania perhaps not more unfairly or cruelly than 
elsewhere ; but the contrasts are shockingly 
a})parent. 

But we came to look at the hills and the river, 
not at the social relativities. And the hills are 
as sadly marked as the human moles who ])urrow 
into them. There is no desecration of a mountain 
so l)liirhtinor as the sinkinir of a mine into its 



DOWN THE SUSQUEHANNA. 281) 

heart. The dark mouth of the shaft, high up on 
the side of the hill, is repulsive as a cancer to the 
eye seai-ching for beauty. Storms might shatter 
the forests, or fire sweep them, and the grandeur 
of the hills would be untouched. But in the 
midst of billowed foliage, and within sound of 
the rills, the puff of a steam-engine beside a black 
hole in the mountain-side robs the scene of all 
loveliness, and hurries the observer out of siijht 
of the profanation. 

But where was T ? At Wilkesl)arre only ! We 
put our l)oats up at a pretty boat-house above the 
bridge, and we thought we should stay an hour 
to see the city, and then proceed. It is very 
pleasant to recall the manner and face of the man 
who kept that boat-house, and who was, we learned 
later, no other tlian " Commodore Brobst, of the 
AVilkesbarre Xavy," a well-known and popular 
person. He was ver}' kind indeed ; 1)ut while he 
was showiniT us his handsome boats, his little 
boy was scudding off to a newspaper office, and 
*' The Commodore " seemed to enjoy himself 
hugely when, a few minutes later, a reporter 
stepped down to the float and said : — 

" Gentlemen, we have been expecting you. 
The editor of my paper is coming here presently 
to welcome you ; and also a committee of recep- 
tion, which was appointed three days ago." 



290 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

Upon hearing this amazing announcement we 
sat down upon the float to gaze at the reporter. 
Within ten minutes his astounding words were 
made true. 

" Gentlemen you will speak here to-night in 
the court-house, on the political situation. You 
will have an immense audience ! " 

This was the first word that impressed itself on 
my mind. We could not laugh, and we could 
not boorishly get into our boats and paddle away ; 
so we weakly listened to the voice of the seducers, 
who would draw us from our beautiful rapids and 
woods and hills into the narrowing wrangle of 
worldly ways. But the editor was such a clever 
and earnest fellow, and the chairman of the com- 
mittee was so ijenial and hospitable, that, after 
hours of entertainment and enjoyment, we compro- 
mised : we promised to return two days later 
and make political speeches in Wilkesbarre ! It 
was then noon of ^Monday ; we would go on our 
way down the stream, and come back for Wednes- 
day night. 

From that moment we knew that a beauty had 
departed from the river. It seemed to sink and 
become commonplace. Some charm of fidelity 
or sympathy was broken. We were disloyal to 
the Susquehanna; we could not, as yesterday, 
look the beautiful river in the face. 



DOWN THE SUSQUEHANNA. 291 

But we went along, and, in keeping with our 
new prosaic feeling, we hooked on to a little 
steamer running down to Nanticoke, and escaped 
nine miles of paddling. At Nanticoke we could 
not cross the dam, — so we went into the canal 
which ])egins there. Deeper and deeper we were 
sinking into the prosaic ; and the sense of a 
departed sympathy made us silent and almost 
irritable. I heard Smith repeating to himself the 
sad lines of Wordsworth : — 

"' The moon doth with delight 
Look round her when the heavens are bare ; 
Waters on a starry night 
Are beautiful and fair; 
The sunshine is a glorious birth; 
But yet I know, where'er I go, 
That there hath passed away a glory from the earth." 

We regretted the promise that bound us to 
return, and necessitated at least some preparation. 
We resolved to telegraph back recalling it. But 
there was no telegraph-office for a long distance 
down the canal. The current was slow, but in 
our favor. We paddled steadily ahead, almost 
silent, till the sun bent down to the mountains, 
and the canal seemed to become a mere gloomy 
ditch. Then we began to think of camping 
and getting supper ; but for miles no suitable 
place appeared. Just about sunset we overtook 



2d2 ETHICS OF BOXING AM) MANLY SPORT. 

ti canal-boat, and asked the man at the wheel 
where he was goinii: to stop for the night. 

'' Wo don't stop ; we go on all night," he said ; 
'* and if you fellows want to come on l)oard, 
you can lift your boats on deck, and you're very 
welcome." 

AVe thanked him; read '*yes" in each other's 
eyes ; and in live minutes the canoes were on 
board, and we were having a new and pleasant 
sensation. 

The canal-])oat is no greyhound : it moves 
solennily and hrndy at the rate of two miles an 
hour; ])ut it pushes ahead day and night, and, 
like the tortoise of the fable, it miirht win a race 
against a heedless hare. The Susquehanna Canal 
Compan3''s service emplo3'S about two thousand 
men and bovs, and heaven knows how manv 
nudes. And splendid mules they are, big as 
horses almost, and comely to the eye. They 
im[)ressed my companion so nuich that in his 
speech at Wilkesbarre, two days later, he made 
the audience gasp by opening with the emphatic 
assertion that the Democratic party was like a 
nude? "Because," said he, "it is patient, 
Intel liijrent, irood-humored, hard-workincr, — and 
handsome ! " The Jetlersonians breathed a sigh 
of relief, and then enjoved the simile. 

Tom Elder was the captain's name, and he had 



DOWX THE SUSQUEHANNA. 293 

on board a man to cook and steer and clean — a 
silent man who answered questions, but never 
once looked at us ; also a youth of nineteen, a 
carpenter from Tom's town down the river, who 
had run awav from home, and was now returnino^ 
through his townsman's kindness ; and, lastly, a 
little tough, red-headed fellow of fifteen, the 
mule-driver, — another Tom, — who had a phenom- 
enal voice deep down in his chest, from roaring 
at the ]nules, and who swore more profound!}^ 
and unconsciously than any one I had known up 
to that time. In this respect, however, little 
Tom, we found, was distanced by competitors on 
the tow path. 

Once on board no one spoke to us or noticed 
us. Their indifference was Indian-like. About 
an hour after ])oarding the boat Captain Tom 
came up from the cabin kitchen-bedroom of the 
ship's company, and, without looking at us, said : 

"If you fellows w^ant some bean soup there's 
l)lenty of it down there, and you're very wel- 
come." 

"Much obliged, captain," said Smith; "and 
perhaps you would'nt mind taking a little of this 
— for the malaria. And a ciirJH'." 

The captain came down without waiting to be 
shot. 

We had plenty of provisions with us, and we 



2'J4 ETIIIC8 OF liOXINU AND MANLY SPOKT. 

jiiadc ;i inciiioi*a])lo supper. The runaway car- 
l)entcr " washed up" after us. Then we " made 
our l)eds " on the deck, ])etween the canoes, drew 
our l)lankets over us, and looked uj) at the stars, 
which seemed, from the motion of the ))oat and 
our position, to be moving in a grand, slow pro- 
cession. It was a l)eautiful night, and our enjoy- 
ment was ijfreat. The trees reached over the 
canal nearly all the way. On one side, helow us 
some fifty yards, was the river, with a ])lack 
mountain on the other side. Above us, about 
the same distance, was the raili'oad, cut out of 
the mountain foot ; and sheer a])ove that the 
*' eternal hills," lifting to the stars. 

There was no sound but the swish of the irreat 
boat and the distant quick hooting of the mules. 
About midniiiht we heard a stranize, hard roar, 
risinir and fallinir in a certain cadence. It was 
only little Tom, who had just waked from his 
first na^) on the nude's back, and was cheering 
them with a sons'. The children who drive the 
nudes for this great corporation soon learn to 
sleep on the animals' ])acks. 

In the morninof, before breakfast, we saw a fair 
place for lowering our l)oats to the river ; and we 
shook hands with Captain Tom Elder, and the 
serious cook, and the runaway' carpenter, and 
bttle Calliope-Tom. We had, it api)eared, won 



DOWN THE SUSQUEHANNA. 295 

their hearts; and for one brief second I caught 
the retiring 63^6 of the cook as we parted. 

Returning to the river rejoiced us ; it was like 
coming back to an old friend, — a renewal of 
fealty. And it was well for us that we had some 
compunction to work off, for a viler ten miles 
than that before us I have never seen, — not even 
excepting the upper end of the Charles Hiver. 

First of all, the water was like milk-and-water 
in color, and it was limy to the taste. There was 
a new sort of rock in the bottom, long ledges of 
slate that crossed the river like bars, upon every 
one of which we stuck. We never dreamt of 
dressing : jerseys and shoes were enough. We 
were Avading half the time. At last we came to 
an island, and we parted company, Smith going 
to the right, and I to the left, close under the 
mountain. The river was more than half a mile 
w^ide ; and the island turned out to be many miles 
long. It was a dismal experience, going alone, 
and each w^onderino: how the other Avas c^ettino' 
on. For five miles I had not an unbroken run of 
fifty yards. The side of the hill had evidently 
fallen into the river, and crumbled into pieces 
from the size of a foot-ball to the size of a cab. 
The sluice-Avays between some of these were 
fierce and swift, but irritatimrly short. 

When I was about half-way down I began to 



2\H) ETIIirs OF liOXIXG AND MANLY SPORT. 

iear that Smith might be worse off; so I liauled 
toward the ishuid and went ashore. Nowhere 
could I see him, nor c^et an answer to a bush 
" coo-ee ! " So I walked back to the end of the 
island, only to find that he had had open river 
air the way down, and nuist, therefore, be miles 
ahead. An hour later 1 found him at the end of 
the island, on a mosoy l;:i:>k, under tall beeches, 
— a little bit from fairyland. 

As we were about to get into our canoes, after 
several hours' rest here, we saw a stranue siuht. 
In the retlection under the boats irreat nunil)ers 
of little fish had i»athered, and ranucd themselves 
in a line, evidently enjoying the only scraj) of 
shadow on the wide river. As we ran down a 
grand reach of deep and swift Avater, below the 
village, we saw another strange thina- — a trc- 
niendous iron i)ipe crossing the river in a lonely 
l)lace, like a huge serpent half-buried in the mud, 
under eight feet of clear water. It was probably 
the pipe of one of the great oil lines. Ten miles 
farther down we came to another villa<>e ; and as 
we shot a little rapid in its front a man ran down 
to the ri\er wavin<2: a letter. It was addressed to 
me, "On the Susquehanna River in a Canoe." It 
was from the political connnittee at AVilkes])arre, 
which we had almost forirotten, tclliiii!- us that 
we should have " an immense audience next 



DOWN THE SUSQUEHANNA. 2i)7 

eveniiiir," and askiuo;, " On what traiu uiav we 
expect you ? " 

About a score of little l)ovs, the oldest not 
more than twelve, who had been swunminir, 
gathered round as we read the letter, and sat in 
the water like fowl, evinir us silently. When we 
started oft* they rose in a beyy, and r)luno:ed after 
us, swinnning splendidly, one bhie-eyed little 
fellow followin^r niy boat with extraordinary 
rapidity, using the overhand stroke like an expert. 

It was then four o'clock, and we were about 
twelve miles from Danville. AVe paddled along 
dejectedly, knowing that our trip had lost its 
charm by this political interruption. But it was 
too late to regret. AVe were delayed soon by 
shallows and insignilicant rapids, and before we 
had gone four miles the sun had sunk behind the 
hillsr 

To cheer us up we floated at last into deep 
water, and saw before us a scene of sur})assing 
loveliness and repose. The narrow valley on the 
left was a marvellous picture of rural taste and 
comfort. A farm-house smothered in soft foliage, 
with roses trained over the porch, and in the 
garden the largest and most beautiful weepin<r- 
willow either of us had ever seen. A mile farther 
down we passed a fisherman, and he told us there 
were two strong rapids, some miles below, which 



2[)S ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPOKT. 

could not be safely run in the dark. So we 
carried our boats up to the tow-path, intendinir 
to paddle hito Danville that night on the canal. 

But when we had eaten our supper we resolved 
to stay wdiere we w^ere. It was a lonely and 
lovely i)lace. A hiirh wooden bridge on stone 
piers crossed the canal and railroad, and led up 
into a road that was cut into the steep hillside. 

We sat on the high bridge and enjoyed the 
moonrise over the gloomy hill ; ])ut, though we 
did our 1)est to forget it, the coming speech-mak- 
ing distur])ed us like the distant roar of rapid 
water that we knew had to be considered and 
crossed. 

*'Iwish Tom Elder would come alon":," suij:- 
ijested Smith. " We could ":o into Danville on 
his canal boat." 

But Tom was miles astern ; and we went and 
raided on a wood-pile near the bridge, though no 
house could be seen, and fluni>' a dozen biij sticks 
down to the tow-path beside the l)oats. Just 
then we heard a l)ugg3', or light wagon, passing 
on the road ; and Smith ran up on the bridge and 
hailed it, meaning to ask some questions. 

'*Ho! I say! I say, sir!" he shouted, as he 
sprang out in the moonlight. The driver of the 
wagon started uj) his horse, evidently alarmed. 
AV^e heard the swish ! swish ! of the whip, quicker 



DOWN THE SUSQUEHANNA. 299 

and harder as Smith ran and shouted, and soon 
the frightened teamster was out of dan2:er. 

AVe learned next day that the i)hice at which 
we stopped had been the scene of numerous rob- 
beries, and that people disliked it even in the 
daytime. It was well for us that the scared 
driver had no ijun with him. 

AVe lit our lire and made our beds beside it, 
just Avithdrawn from the tow-path, and were soon 
sleeping soundly. Once, about midnight, we 
were awakened by a passing canal-boat ; but we 
slept again, with a kindly " Good-night, fellows," 
from the sleepy child on the back of the hind mule. 

The dawn was just creeping over the hill when 
another sound disturbed us, — a loud, hard, ca- 
denced roar, which was familiar. It was little, 
red-headed, Calliope-Tom, singing his matins to 
the mules. In ten minutes we had all our goods 
in the boats, and we started up the tow-i)ath to 
meet our friends. Little Calliope-Tom saw us 
afar off, and welcomed us with a loni^f shout and a 
loud. Captain Tom Elder greeted us cordially ; 
the serious cook and the runaway carpenter came 
up and gave a hand with our embarkation ; and in 
a few minutes more we were sound asleep in our 
blankets on the friendl}' deck. 

At Danville, in the morning, we went to the 
hotel, Captain Tom escorting us. We left our 



300 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY Sl'OKT. 

l)oats at the landins^. After ])rctikfast and a morn- 
ing paper (the first for days) we resolved to 
i>o to AVilkesbarre at noon, and *' think over our 
speeches " hy the way. 

No need to tell of our reception, our audience, 
our eloquence. We had a famous day, and a 
night to be remembered, at the hospitable house 
of a Pennsylvania gentleman of the old school, 
who gave us much that the palates of wandering 
men hanker after. 

But the next day dawned, and we were far 
from our canoes. AVe breakfasted with an etlbrt at 
cheerfulness. AVhen the bov brouirht to us, at the 
table, the morning paper, with a report of our 
speeches, we brightened at once. But, lo ! it was 
the Republican paper, the Democratic sheet hav- 
infif only an evenino- issue. And therein we read, 
with ghastly merriment, words of scorn for our 
eloquence and pity for our arguments. 

*'Wait till evening, till you see the Leader!'' 
said a friendly caller. "I tell you the Leader 
will do you justice." 

But no; ^ve said " Good-by," and started for 
Danville. On our wav we concluded to jro no 
farther in the canoes, but to run on to Ilarris- 
burg, taking them up as Ave passed Dan- 
ville. That was the end of our vova<re on the 
river, though we followed it lovingly from the 



DOAVX THE SUSQUEHAXXA. 301 

window of the trjiin all the way to Harrisburg. 
AYe saw the marriage of the lovely Juniata with 
the Susquehanna, recalling the exquisite poem of 
my friend, John BroAvn : — 

" Oh ! never such a sight : 
He sweeping round the valley's bend, 
While she, on maiden tij^-toe rising, 
Feasts loving glances on the friend 
She lias so lonesome been abiding; 
He, helpless, seeks the fatal shore, 
Charm-blinded by her eyes, dark-flashing 
Within the portals of the door 
Through "which her slender form is passing: 
He opens wide his giant arms, 
The young and lordly Susquehanna ; 
She nestles there her virgin charms. 
The soft- voiced, lovely Jimiata; 

There in the bright sunlight! " 

And so, good-by for another season to the 
sweet waters, the dancing boat, and the biceps- 
building paddle. There is no sport or exercise so 
complete as canoeing a river, for it embraces all 
S})oits, — the excitement of rapid water, the deli- 
cious plunge, the long swim down stream, the 
fishing and shooting, the free camping out at 
night, and the endless beauty of the panoramic 
scene. Canoe-clul)s may meet and vote and com- 
pete and sail regatta races on the lakes. But the 
true canoeist knows not sail nor prize, but searches 
with the paddle all the bends and rapids and shad- 
owed reaches of our peerless American rivers. 



DOWN THE DELAWARE RIVER IN A 

CANOE. 



" You can run everything on the river but the 
Bio- Foul," said the teamster at Port Jervis, as 
he helped us launch the canoes from a gravel 
])ank. 

"Where is the Bio- Foul?" 

"Below Belvidere : you'll strike it in a few 
days. No 1)oat can run that rift at this sta^'e of 
the water." 

" Oh, it's a rift," said Moseley, standing knee- 
deep in the river, and packing his canoe. "I 
thought it was a bird. Why is it called the Big 
Fowi^? " 

" It is the foulest rapid on the Delaware," an- 
swered the teamster. "I know the river to 
Trenton: went down last May on a fresh. You 
can run all the rest ; but you'll have to carry 
round the Big Foul Eift." 

We had before heard about this rapid with 

(:]03) 



304 ETHICS OF BOXlX(J AND MANLY SPORT. 

the ominous name. A discussion in Forest and 
Stream, a tow years aijo, directed the attention 
of canoemen to its alleirod dangers and extreme 
rapidity of cun'ent.* 

I had with me also the notes of one of the best 
canoemen in the country, who liad run the Dehi- 
ware in the spring- of last year, to whicli T re^ 
feiTed, and found these words: — 

"Oivat Foul IJift, short distanoo 1)olow Bt'lvidcro. Ran 
down on rafting fresh in ^fay. Lengtli ahnost a mile and a 
half from head of Little Fonl to foot of Great Foul. Rapidity 
of water and danger much exaggerated." 

*' That's all right for a spring fresh," said the 
teamster, who had hoard this note read. " But 

* Two canoemen of East Orange, X. J., who ran the rapids 
in 187S, and who claimed to he the first to do it, \\TOte as fol- 
lows: "After passing through two or three small rifts, we 
arrived at Great Foul Kift, which is considered the most dan- 
gerous one in the river, on account of the numher of rocks and 
the swiftness of the current. How to descrihe our passage 
through here, we hardly know; all we can say is, we saw it, 
we entered it, and we passed it. You can see the big slate 
rocks on all sides of you, and are unahle to tell what minnts 
you will strike them. This rift is two miles long, and we 
passed through it in three minutes exactly, being carried that 
fast by the current, without using our paddles." This state- 
ment was received with astonishment. Two miles in three 
minutes, or forty miles an hour, is not the speed of a rapid, but 
almost that of a waterfall. 

Among the critics was Mr. A. IT. Siegfried of Louisville, who 
had also run the Great Foul Kift. lie wrote: "We were 
warned against Foul Kift for two days above it, and came to it 



DOWX THE DELAWARE Kn^EK. oO.J 

the river is ten feet lower now ; and it's the 
])ottoni of a rivev that's dano-erous, not the top." 

Guiteras was the first in his canoe. "Here 
goes for Phihidelphia ! " lie cried, as he pushed ofl'. 
" Are there any rapids near us, down the river?" 

" Listen ! *' and the teamster smiled. 

We listened and heard one, the sound comino- 
from the bend of the river half a mile below. 

" It's only a little one," shouted the teamster, 
as we started. "Keep well to the left, and you'll 
find a channel. It is a smooth rift." 

We were three, in three canoes, — Mr. Edward 
A. Moseley in a stout boat built by Partelow, of 
the Charles Eiver ; Dr. Eamon Guiteras, in a 

determinetl not merely to rim it, but to examine it carefully, 
and see if it is as dangerous as the natives think. ^Ye went 
through it without paddle, save for steering purposes, but 
losing ho time from speed of actual current, and were just 
eleven minutes from the time we entered imtil we left the swift 
water. That we thought a quick run, considering the windings 
of the channel, following wliich the distance is fully three miles, 
though a straight line will measure nearly one-third less. The 
rift is very swift and crooked, whirling among many and such 
recklessly distributed boulders that the speed claimed by ' F. r. 
and E. P. D.' Avould have been sure death to both boats and 
men if it had been possible." 

The official measurements of the Little and Great Foul Rifts 
are: Little Foul Eift, 768 ft.; Great Foul Eift, 4,020ft.; di.5- 
tance from head of Little Eift to foot of Great Eift, 1^ mile. 
These measurements are probably by the straight line, and not 
according to the Mindings of the channel. 



306 ETHICS OF lJOXIN(} AM) MANLY .spoirr. 

stronir Racine ; while iniiie was a keelless, decked 
canoe, by the best ])iiilder in the world, Riishton, 
of Canton, N. Y. 

It was two in the afternoon of a glorious day 
when we started from Port Jervis. After a Ions:, 
dusty railroad ride, it is inipossi])le to convey the 
exhilaratin<2: sense of freedom and enjoyment 
which one feels durin<>: the first moments in his 
canoe. To plunge the ])are arms to the elbow 
into the river as vou i>'0, and let the cool water 
curl up to the l)iceps ; to feel the soft breeze on 
bare head and neck ; to be far from the busy 
crowds in the cities, with all the senses awake to 
new and fascinating objects — the swirl of rapid 
water, the lirown and yellow stones on the bot- 
tom of the river, the larire, free movements of 
clouds, the strange flowers on the bank ; to grip 
the paddle with an agreeable sense of power in 
shoulder and hand ; to brace the feet strongly 
against the foot-rest and feel the canoe spring 
with the elastic force of the stroke ; to shout un- 
restrainedly to your com])anions. and hear them 
shout in return h'ke hearty, natural men ; to 
lau<2:h consumedlv with sliiiht cause ; and in the 
midst of all this joyous wakefulness, to be aware 
of the ncaring ra])id ahead — to hear its low, 
steady roar, as if tlie sound cluno: to the water ; 
and to be aware also of a new preparation of 



DOW^ THE DELA^^AKE KIVEK, 'M)7 

nerve, sight, and muscle — a purely aninuil and 
instinctive alertness — for the moment of rushini!; 
excitement into Avhich you are s\vee})ing, — all 
this we experienced within ten minutes of leav- 
ino- the ijravel Ijed at Port Jervis, and while the 
teamster still shouted to us from the shore. 

We were silent at hrst, and surprised. It took 
us some moments to realize that the surprise was 
delight. The river was not deep — three or four 
feet at most ; but it ran down hill like a hunted 
hare. There was something quite new in it, too, 
which I concluded to be the long, wavy green 
weeds near the bottom, that floated straight with 
the current like a yacht's pennant in a gale, and 
by their swaying and glistening in the de})ths in- 
dicated the course and the extraordinary rapidity 
of the water. 

"This is superb!" said one. The others 
echoed the word. 

Almost before we knew, we were in the rush of 
the first rapid. We had not carefully followed 
the teamster's instructions to keep to the extreme 
left ; and we had passed the narrow mouth of the 
channel. Before us ran an oblique bar of heavy 
stones, *over which the river poured like a curtain. 
It ran clear across the river, and we found our- 
selves far into the closed ano'le. The water on 
the curtain to the left roared like a heavy surf, 



o06 ivnwcs or i'.()xin(j and manly sroK-T. 

and wc knew tliat we could not <ret over or 
through. There was no opening between the 
stones more than two feet wide, and beyond or 
l>elow was a hundred yards of chaotic rock and 
roar. 

AVe turned and paddled up strcai!i — I might 
have said ui) hill. Inch bv inch we iiained, work- 
ing with feverish speed, the paddle slipping back 
in the lilancina' stream as if it were in air, holdinii' 
hardly any force. 

But we clim])ed the first descent, and steered 
across to where the channel luma'ed the riizht 
bank. Guiteras went in Hrst ; he had not a'cjue 
up far enough by a l)oat's length, and as he shot 
across into the narrow channel, his canoe lurched 
ui)on one side, stood a moment and swung athwart 
stream. He had struck ; but before a thought of 
danger could follow, the paddle was buried, and 
with a lifting push, his boat slipped over the stone 
and rushed down the rapid like a leaf. 

The other canoes followed, avoidinij: the buried 
stone. It was a vigorous little rush — about two 
hundred yards in leniith, and not fifteen feet in 
width. The water was deep, but its spec;d made 
it rise in a leap oyer every stone on the bottom, 
and hurl itself in all kinds of rid<res and furrows 
and springing white-caps. 

At the ])ottom of the rift we plunged into a 



73 



O 

CO 
m 

r 
m 

< 



O 

c 

(7) 

X 

o 
m 

o 
m 

H 




DOWN THE DELAWARE RIVER. 301) 

heap of boiling breakers, still running like mad. 
Next moment we floated into smooth water, and 
turned and looked back at our first rapid with 
much lauii'hiniJ^ and conirratulation. 

The rapid, or rift (on the Upper Delaware all 
rapids are rifts; on the Lower Delaware all rifts 
ai'G faJh; the change beginning, I think, about 
Easton, as, for instance. Saw-mill Rift, Death's 
Eddy Eift,. Big Foul Rift ; and below, Welles's 
Falls, Trenton Falls, etc.) — the rapid we had 
passed, on looking back, seemed insignificant in 
descent and roui2:hness ; but we were fairly aston- 
ished at the speed of the water, and I think we 
had a ya2:ue consciousness that it would have heen 
no child's play to steer through that channel had 
it been of anv considerable lenoth, and broken bv 
rocks. The teamster had called it "a little one," 
and "a smooth rift;" what, then, were the big 
ones ? There was no mention at all of this rift in 
the notes of the canoeman which I had with 
me. What was the ominous Great Foul Rift in 
comparison ? 

As we gazed back at the rapid, it receded from 
us swiftly. We were on the quiet surface of 
deep water, but going down at the rate of several 
miles an hour. 

The current still kept to the left bank, and an 
odd bank it was, — Avorth describins:, because 



:)10 ETHICS OF BOXING AMD MAXLV SPOUT. 

it continued intermittently quite down to Trenton, 
where the hist rapid on the Dehiware pitches the 
canoeman into ti(hd water. Tiie ])ank resembled 
molten metal that had hardened. It was almost 
black, a clean, smooth stone, with round puff- 
holes in it, no veiretation whatever on the 
steep slope of, say, twenty feet from the water's 
edire, above which rose a wooded hill, almost a 
mountain. The metallic l)ank ended abruptly in 
the stream, and the deep current alongside ran 
with astonishinir swiftness. 

I realized in brief time that up to that day I 
had not known rapid water, continued in a long 
stream. The Susquehanna rapids are short and 
sharp descents, followed by slow and gentle 
reaches, some of which are miles in length. The 
Connecticut, in a memory of six years' distance, 
spreads out like a lake, with here and there a log 
moving alongshore, showing that there actually is 
a current. The Merrimack was. remembered as 
a very millpond, except on the short descent of 
Miber's Falls, near Haverhill, and in the power- 
ful tidal rush under Deer Island Chain-bridge at 
Xewburyport ; while many lesser streams were 
quite forgotten in ])resence of this grand artery 
which carried us onward almost as fast as we 
could paddle on slower rivers. 

I have given too much space to our first rapid 



DOWN THE DELAWARE KIVEK. 311 

on the Delaware, which, we soon found, was 
onl}^ one of scores before us, and a small one — 
even a "smooth one." But it will save other 
descriptions ; and it gives our first impression of 
the river. Having run the Delaware from Port 
Jervis to Philadelphia, we found that this first 
rapid was singularly characteristic. All the 
considerable rapids are of a somewhat similar 
formation, — except the Great Foul Rift, which 
is unique. 

The rapids of the Delaware are formed in the 
main by an oblique line of rocks crossing the 
river, leaving a narrow channel on one side, or 
sometimes the opening is almost one-third of the 
way across, with reefs on both sides. 

With deep water, say in May or June, when 
the river is from eia'lit to ten feet hio-her than it 
was in the last week of August, a canoeman may 
run two hundred miles of this incomparable river 
without strikins^ a stone. But every foot of fall 
in the. stream makes -a totally new river; and he 
who goes down on a freshet in early summer 
cannot imagine what the river is like at low 
water in late autumn. 

The Delaware is a river of extraordinary pitch, 
the fall from Port Jervis to Philadelphia being 
nearlv 1,200 feet. 

On that first afternoon we intended to run down 



312 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY si»OKT. 

to Milforcl, twelve miles distant, where, we had 
been told, there was a famous hotel. But we 
linsrered on the way. In the sweltering heat we 
pulled the eanoes ashore and })lunuL'd into the 
delicious water, driidvinir it as w^e swam — a sensa- 
tion for epicures. ^Vc lay prone in the rapid 
stream, our arms outspread, and our faces under 
water, floatino: quickly down, and look ins: at the 
yellow and white pel)])les on the ])ottom. 

At last we came to a lovely spot, a soft white 
sand-baidv on the left, the Jersey side, formed by 
the junction of a bright little river with the Dela- 
ware. Every paddle was laid down. Haifa mile 
below w^e heard the dull roar of a rai)id. Here 
the river was very deep and swift, and not more 
than eighty yards wide. On the right, a wooded 
but precipitous mountain rose almost straight 
from the water to a heidit of at least 800 feet. 
From his eyrie far up we had disturbed a wliite- 
headed eagle wliich iioated and tipped its great 
wings a1)ove us as it moved -slowly down river. 

The sand-l)ank was in the anale where the little 
river fell over a short r;n)id of twentv vards into 
the Delaware. The bank was hemmed in bv a 
dense wood. 

We camped on tlui sand-bank for the night. 
One man erected the t(Mil : anotlicr cooked dinner : 
the third went in search of a farmhouse for milk, 



DOAVN THE DELAWARE RIVER. 313 

eggs, melons and peaches — the staple of our food 
for the next fortniirht. 

AVhile the dinner simmered ^ye had a trial of 
strength with the Delaware itself, breast to breast. 
Swiftly we struck across and down the river for 
a hundred vards, and then turned and faced the 
stream. Three strono- swimmers, ^two of the 
three extraordinary. Moselev, with the over-hand 
stroke, which sends him about eight feet a stroke 
in still water, made progress at the rate of about 
one foot a stroke.. Guiteras barely held his own, 
swunminof as if he were anchored ; and, watchino- 
the bank, I saw that I was actually iroino; down 
stream. Under such circumstances vou can do a 
great deal of swimming i;i a quarter of an hour. 

The sun went down on the left, above the low 
trees, without cloud or haze. For a lono- time 
after its disappearance the upward rays Hamed 
on the face of the o^reat clitf across the river, the 
red a'lcam movin£>' hiaher and higher, and the 
darkness creeping up the wooded wall like a vast 
tide. When the line of iiaht had cleared the brow 
of the cliff the trees above, diminished to a fino'er- 
lenofth, blazed in Cfold and crimson ; and then, 
almost suddenlv, the liaht left them, — rose over 
them, and was lost in si)ace, and they, too, were 
swallowed up in the night. 

'' The lioht that shoots over the heads of trees 



ol4 KTIIICS OF li()XIN(J AND MAM.V Sl'ORT. 

or p('()])l(\" said ]\Ioseloy, '* miiilit as well not 
exist. 

AVitli which philosophic rcHcction, wc spread 
our rubber l)lankets on the sand of the tent, over 
these our woollen l)lankets ; and then, with a bi^: 
fire ])laziniz* a few feet from the tent's mouth, Ave 
lay or sat for our coflee and cigars. 

Throughout our trip this quiet smoking hour, 
each evening with a strange scene before us, was 
a most enjoyable part of the day. 

AVe slept as if the night were an hour long, 
and we woke to plunge into the sweet unchilled 
water. We started without breakfast, hoping to 
reach ^lilford and the " famous cook" at an early 
hour. 

The miles were long, and tlie river unendingly 
broken. It was down hill all the time, rift suc- 
ceeding rift. Do what we could with careful 
steeriuii, we struck airniu JUid air«'dn, and we were 
in constant danger of smashing boats or paddles. 
So common became the strikins: that we coined a 
word for it — "hung u}>." And we could not 
help laughing, wIhmi one struck, as we swept past 
and saw him arindv polinir his canoe over a rock, 
or raising his feet over the gunwale, as he got 
out to haul her ov(M'. For this we had to be 
always ready ; trousers tucked up, and canvas 
shoes on. 



DOWX THE DELAAVARE KIVER. 515 

It came to be a ierttina* habit, that when one 
led mto a rapid he would do so \\'\\\\ a boastful 
shout. This was my part, at one time on this 
second da v. I had irone into a rift with much 
flourish, and, a third of the way through, had 
been " hung up." Down rushed the others with 
loud derision, avoiding the bad place. Imagine 
mv feelins: of disa'ust at their sellishness, as I saw 
their backs, leaving me there. Xext moment, in 
the worst part of the rapid, I saw one of them 
strike and hold his boat with his paddle against a 
rock ; and a second or two later the other struck 
just beside him. Who could help smiling? And 
that moment, by a fortunate lurch, \\~\\ canoe 
floated and rushed down toward the two, who 
vrere now struggling knee-deep in the stream. 
They held on to let me pass, and scowled as if 
my laugh were in bad taste. 

At ten o'clock we reached Milford, Penn., and 
clim])ed the hundred feet of steep bank on which 
the little town stands. Over the town, all round, 
rose still many hundred feet of grandlj^-wooded 
mountains. The hotel, thev told us, was over 
twelve hundred feet above sea level. The hotel 
we found to be even better than its report. 

Ev^r since starting at Port Jervis, Moseley 
had kept referring to the beaut}' of the scenery at 
Walpack Bend, some fifteen or twenty miles be- 



31() ETHICS OF HOXINt; AND MxVNLY SrOUT. 

low Milford. He had a camera with him, and 
his desire to fj^et out and take a view o^rew on him 
like a disease. Xo impatience, or protest, or 
prayer affected him. " When we get home," he 
would unseltishly say, "these pictures will be 
the best part of the trip,'' — and he was right. 

The banks on l)oth sides now rose into moun- 
tains, wooded to the top. The river Avas a series 
of deep and swift reaches, and then a leaping 
rift, with a steep descent. 

In the very centre of one of these rapids, an un- 
usually deep one, my canoe struck on a covered 
rock and I knew in a flash that she nmst either iret 
instantlv over or be rolled down stream. Thouuht 
and act united. I lifted her by a vigorous push, 
and was whirled down, stern foremost, with mv 
paddle broken. 

Fortunatcl}', the channel below was deep, 
though rough and very rai)id. To meet the emer- 
gency I knelt u}), instead of sitting as heretofore, 
and used the broken end of the paddle as a pole, 
fending off rocks, and steering occasionally with 
the blade end. 

Before I had cleared the rapid I knew that my 
loss was a aain. The best way to steer a canoe 
down a rapid is to knc^el and use a Jon r/ ■paddle 
v:itJi one blade, tJie otJiPr end to he used as a jyole. 

I had a spare paddle in the canoe, a delicate spoon 



DOWN THE DELAWARE KIVER. 317 

paddle, only fit for deep water. As soon as the 
rift was past, I jointed this and used it ; hut when 
the next rift was heard, laid it aside and took up 
the hroken paddle. 

The memor}' of that day is Avholly confused 
with the noise of rapid water. We were no 
sooner throuah one rift than we heard another. 
The names of the rapids were quaint and sugges- 
tive : such as Death's Eddy, Fiddlers Elbow, 
Milliner's Shoe, Sambo and ^Luy, Yancamp's 
Xose, and Shoemakers Eddv. 

One must use colors, not words, to paint the 
beauty of the scene that opened before us on our 
third day, when we ran the u[)[)er rapid at AVal- 
pack Bend, and floated into a reach of river that 
can hardly be siu'passed in the world. On our 
rio'ht and left the banks were low and richly 
timbered ; and straight ahead, barring our way, 
about half a mile ofl", a high mountain, wooded 
from the water to the crest. 

The river runs straiirht to the mountain-foot, 
and there turns directly to the left. It is not a 
curve or a sweei), but distinctly a rialit anale ; 
and then, for one mile with the hill to the right 
and the low farms on the left, and for two miles 
with the mountain to the left and the farms to 
the right, the grand stream paces slowly, like a 
proud horse in the eye of a multitude. 



olS KTIIICS OF llOXIXG AND MANLV M'OKT. 

Here we liiid a btrikiiii>- illustration (^f the 
power of color. The wooded height ])efore us 
rose at least twelve hundred feet. The river l)e- 
low was ii'reen with the immense retleetion. But 
on the verv line of union, where the leaves met 
and kissed in air and water, was a little tlame of 
crimson, which held the eye and centered all the 
immensitv. 

It was one small cardinal Hower, a })lant that 
u^rows all the wav aloni:- the Delaware. The 
intensity of its color is indescribable. After this 
superb exhi))ition of its power, one little red 
flower a2:ainst ti mile of irreen and silver, I 
iZathered everv dav a handful of the lovely 
blossoms and set them on the bow of the 
canoe. 

AVhen one thinks of the marvels of this river, 
the reirret becomes ]);unful that thev are unknown 
to the outer world, that thev are onlv seen bv the 

«' \/ %i 

natives of the scenes and the accidental canoe 
voyager. 

The rivers are the veins and arteries of a 
country, the railroads and roads the nerves and 
sinews. 

lie has seen the land trulv, with its wealth 

ft. 

and strenerth, wdio has followed the rivers from 
their sources in the hills down to the tide-pulsat- 
in<r ocean-heart. But the railroads are familiar. 



DOWN THE DEL A WAKE IMVEK. /)19 

the rivers unknown. "Sin writes histories," 
says Goethe ; " goodness is silent." 

The river afiects men in a different way from 
the road. The dweller bv the railroad is keen 
and quick to trade, and dicker, and undertake. 
The inhabitants of the river valleys are placid 
folk ; ftirmers content with their peaceful and 
laborious lives. 

Such homes as the poets have imagined are 
realities on every mile of the Delaware's banks. 
Xever before, in the same space, have I seen so 
many quiet, contented, and gentle working peo- 
ple. Scores and hundreds of farm-houses we 
passed, surrounded with flowers and foliage, the 
easy-chairs Avaiting on the wide porch, with the 
women sitting sewing, the children playing near 
the house, the men Avorkins: in the farmvard or 
in the spreading melon or peach fields, and the 
bri«:ht river movinsr forever l^efore their eyes, 
with its great homely ferry-boat waiting below, 
where the shaded paths comes down the bank. 
Softly come to one's memory the lines of Bryant, 

" O River, gentle Elver! gliding on 
In silence underneath this cloud-flecked sky 
Thine is a ministry that never rests, 
Even while the living slumher. 

At dead of night the child awakes and hears 
Thy soft, familiar dashings, and is soothed, 
And sleeps again." 



320 KTillCS OF liOXIXG AND MANLY tiTUliT. 

But one is tciiiptod to linger too long on .such a 
scene as this at Walpack Bend. Here, for the 
first time since we left Port Jervis, the water ran 
slowly. It is hard to leave a spot so l)eautiful, 
where so few stranirers are led. Here Avas Nature 
at first hand. To impress it deeper on my mind, 
I retrace our course, on the bank, to where, a 
hundred yards above the bend, a little sinirinir 
river flows into the Delaware. Only a few inches 
deep, babbling over l)rown pebbles, bright as the 
sun itself in its flashes, comin<>' down under a dim 
arch of trees and fringing underwood — a very 
dream of a little sinuina" brook, that 
"Knows the way to the sea." 
Here, sitting on a stone, enjoying the soft susur- 
rus in my ears and in the leaves and in the rij)- 
ples, conies alons>' a country' bov, flshiuii: — down 
the dim arch, walking in the little river, bare- 
footed. 

"Bushmill Creek is its name," he says: and 
he knows no more about it — not how lonii it is, 
nor whence it comes. l>ut yet a commentator 
and critic, this barefooted lisher. 

" Plow far have you fellows come?" he asked, 
examining the canoes. 

" From Port Jervis." 

" And how far an; you going?" 

" To Philadelphia." 



DOAVN THE DELAAVAKE lUVER. 321 



(( 



AYell," — a long pause — '* you fellows must 
want sometliins: to do ! " 

A sons: sunix by some country «:irls and boys 
in a boat, passing close to the mountain foot, 
makes a memory of music and echo as yiyid as 
the gleam of the cardinal flower. They slowly 
moye their unwieldly-lookino- crooked oars, char- 
acteristic of the Dehiware — the flat l)lade set on 
the oar at an obtuse ano'le. But this oar, hino-ed 
on the o'unwale of the flat-l^ottomed boat, or 
bateau, is suited to a riyer of rifts, the bent blade 
enal)ling the rower to sweep the shallow water 
without strikina'. 

The riyer is rich with bass, and the fishers are 
numerous. BeloAy AValpack Bend, a lady in a 
boat, excited and joyous, holds up a splendid fish 
as we pass. 

" See ! I'ye just caught it ! " she says. It was 
at least fiye pounds weight. A gentleman in the 
boat tells us that Aye can run all the rapids down 
the riyer — *' except the Great Foul Rift ! " 

Here it was ao-ain : and from this time forward, 
almost eyery one to Avhom Aye spoke warned us 
in about the same Ayords. Hence o^reAV an unex- 
pressed desire in eacli of our minds to get aAyay 
from this croaking rapid ; Aye longed to reach and 
run it, and haye done Avitli it. 

But Aye Ayere approaching one of the glories of 



322 ETHICS OF BOXING AND MANLY SPORT. 

the Delawtire — the most famous and certainly the 
most sublime — the "Water (Jap. We reached it 
unexpectedly. AVe knew when it was only a few 
miles away, but we could see nothing ahead but 
the unbroken mountain range on each side. One 
mile away, and the range had closed around us in 
a biixht, leavino- no perceptible opening for the 

river. 

" Where is the Water Gap?" we asked a boat- 
ful of fishers, anchored under a bridge. 

*' You'll see it in half a minute," they answered. 
'* And look out I for just round the turn there, 
you will be in the rapid." 

We did not need the warning : we were in the 
quick water already. Looking into the stream, 
we saw the yellow stones on the l)ottom fly stern- 
ward at an extraordinary pace. The roar of a 
powerful rapid reached us as we came to a sharp 
turn in the river ; and below us we saw a memo- 

ral)le scene. 

I do not know the descending angle of that 
rapid, nor the measure of its fall ; but it seemed 
as if 4e were on the top of a liill of rushing water, 
at the bottom of which, less than a mile away, 
was a vast wooded basin, its green slope l)roken 
by two white hotels set on the hillside, but still 
seemingly far below us. 

There was no time for admiration, or for any- 



DOWN THP: DELAWARE RIVER. o2o 

thing but steering. We ran down the Jersey 
shore, close to the rocky mountain foot, in the 
fastest rush so far. The river plunged from ledge 
to ledge fierceh' ; but the channel was deep. At 
the foot of the fall, we were shot into a whirlpool 
of yellow breakers that curled up and washed 
clean over the canoes, drenching all, and almost 
swamping one of them. 

AYe stopped at the AA^ater Gap that night, and 
sat long on the wide veranda of the hotel, looking 
at the wonderful scene. The river passes between 
two mountains, as through a tremendous gateway ; 
and one feels, without knowing, that beyond that 
imperial portal, the scene must change into some- 
thing quite new and strange. 

This we found to be true : the Delaware mav 
be said to have left the mountains Avhen it pours 
through the Water Gap. Henceforth, its banks 
are bold, or even precipitous, as the right bank 
surely is in a wonderful cliff some miles l)elow 
Reis^elsville ; but it is a mountain river no lonsfer. 

In the morning, before starting, we climbed 
the mountain and looked down on the wild beauty 
of the Water Gap. From that height the fall in 
the river was imperceptible ; and the rapid that 
had astonished us the day before looked like a 
mere shallow l)rawl. 

Few people are aware of the force and danger 



324 ETHICS OF HOXING AXD m'aNLY SPOKT. 

of rapid l)r()ken water. To the person who 
drives or walks along a river, the rapid seems 
the safest spot, because it is obviously the shal- 
lowest. But, as the teamster said at Port Jervis, 
it is "the bottom that is to be feared, not the 
top." 

"It is iust the same w^ith humanity," savs 
Guiteras, when this thought is spoken ; "it is the 
superficial and hasty people who make all the 
trouble. Depth of mind is as safe as depth of 
water." 

The last w^ord to us from the boat-keeper at 
the AVater Gap was, of course, a warning about 
the Great Foul Rift. AVe ran two or three rapids 
that dav that tested nerves and boats, and were 
exasperated to hear that they w^ere " smooth 
rifts," and " nothing at all to the Big Foul." 

In the hiu'li heat of the afternoon, we came to 
a place whc^re a little waterfall leaped down a 
bank almost twcntv feet into the river. The 
fallinij water was white as snow. AVe went 
under it and enjoyed a glorious shower bath, but 
found that in the centre the water fell in lumps 
almost as heavy and hurtful as clay. 

That dav. too, we had another novel and de- 
lightful experience. A\'e came to an unbroken 
reach of river on which the descent was so irreat 
that a stretch of two miles before us resembled a 



DOWX THE DELAWARE EITER. 325 

coasting-hill of ice. The nver was about ^ve 
feet deep, with a gravel bottom. TTe let the 
canoes float, and we followed, with outspread 
arms and faces in the water, fiurlT coastinsr down 
that wonderful liquid slope. 

Late in the evening, not finding a ple:isant 
camping place, we settled at last on a tolerable 
spot, on an island. We were tired, and we soon 
fell asleep — to be awakened by a shout of hor- 
ror firom Guiteras, over whose hand a snake had 
crawleil ! He had flung the reptile firom him. out 
of the tent. 

After such a start, sleep was out of the ques- 
tion. TTe lav. however, and tried to rest. But 

m 

every rustle of the leaves outside, eveiy insect 
that stirred in the grass, brou^t a chill and 
creepy feeling. 

• • I am going to sleep in the canoe, ^ at last 
said one: and at the word we gathered our 
blxinkets and abandoned the tent. 

K it were not for the dansrer of smiinin^r the 
boat if pulled ashore, or of catching malaria if it 
be left afloat, the canoe is the pleasantest and 
easiest sleeping place. 

In the morning a swim, a solid breakfsist. and 
an extra careful jiacking of the canoes. Xo one 
spoke of it : but that momiug we were each con- 
scious of a particular attention paid to the trim of 



320) ETHICS OF ROXING AND MAXLV SPOUT. 

the boats tiiid the stowing of (huinagc. At al)oiit 
eleven o'clock in the forenoon we would reach 
Belvidere ; and the Great Foul Ilift was only a 
mile farther. 

There was a camp of bass tishers near us, and 
thev came to see us start. Thev learned our in- 
tention of oroimr down without portaire. rift or no 
rift. Thev did not dissuade us. One of them 
said he knew the Big Foul Rift, and he gave us 
precise, too precise, instructions. All I could 
recall half an hour later was : *' Keep to the right 
when vou come to the biir white stone — if there's 
water enouirh to float vour boats." 

It was noon when we came to the town of 
Belvidere, and paddled into deep water under a 
mill. AVe needed some necessaries for our dinner, 
and we coulil buv them here. The school-bo vs 
flocked to the bank to see the canoes, and the 
mill-workers (it was the dinner hour) came down 
to have a chat. 

*' You are not iroiu!! to run the rift?" asked 

one. 

" Yes, we are." 

"Thev can do it: thev don't draw more than 
two inches," said another. 

We knew that at least one of the canoes, heavily 
laden with ])aggage, and with a heavy man in her, 
drew more than six inches. We could get no 



DOWN THE DELAWAEE Rm:R. 327 

information worth having, except a repetition of 
the fisherman's word : '• Keep to the right of the 
biir rock, two-thirds of the way down, — if vou 
can." 

'• Xobodv has irone down the rift for five weeks," 
said the man who had first spoken. 

Guiteras was 2'oiuir ashore for the necessaries ; 
and as he stood in his canoe, about to step on a 
log that edged the bank, he slipped, and pitched 
head-first into the deep water. AVe were so used 
to sfoinir into the water anvwav, that the other 
two sat quite still in the canoes, as if not heeding, 
while Guiteras climl^ed out and shook himself, in 
a matter-of-course kind of waA'. This nonchalance 
created an impression on the crowd : and shortly 
after, when we started, the general prediction was 
audibly in our favor. 

" Keep to the right of the T)ig white rock, and 
3'ou will strike the channel,"* shouted a man as we 
started. 

Haifa mile or so below Belvidere, we felt the 
water quicken and sweep to the right — the Penn- 
sylvania bank. AVe knew we were in the first 
reach of the rapid that had been roaring for us 
since we started. 

There are two distinct rapids, — the Little Foul 
and the Great Foul. — divided by a reach of safe 
but swift water of half a mile. 



rt'2>> ETHICS OF HOXING AND MANLY SPOUT. 

From the inoiiient wo struck the Little Foul 
Rift, we kuew we were in the grip of ji giant. 
AVe were as much astonished as if we had never 
run a rapid before. V\c shot down the river — 
each one finding his own channel — like chips: 
and, with all our careful steering, we grazed 
several danii^erous stones. 

There ^vas no stopping at the foot of the Little 
Foul Ivift ; l)ut we ran with the stream without 
paddling, and examined the entrance to the Great 
Kapid ahead. 

There was no bar or lodire formation here, as 
in the minor rifts behind us. The rocks stood 
up like the broken teeth of a sperm whale, irregu- 
larly across the river, and as far ahead as wc 
could see from the canoes. Some of the stones 
were twelve feet out of the Avater, others of lesser 
height, and of all shapes; some were level with 
the surface, and some covered with a few inches 
of water. These last were the dangers: to strike 
and irct '• hunir ui) " on one of these meant certain 
upsetting ; for no ])oat could stand the rush, and 
there was no footing for the canoeman if he tried 
to get out to })ush her over. 

But more threatening than the tall rocks, that 
looked like a disorganized Stonehenge, 'was the 
terrible nature of the bed rock, and the broken 
stones on the l){)ttom. We could steer between 



DOWN THE DELAWARE RIVER. 329 

the teeth we saw, but we siiddenlv became con- 
scions of unseen teeth that lay m wait to lacerate 
the boats under the water-line. 

The whole bed of the river is formed of a rock 
that is worn and wasted in a sti'anirelv horrible 
way, as if it were pitted with a hideous small- 
pox. Round and oval holes are seen everywhere 
in the rock, some of them as much as two feet 
deep and three feet across ; and the upper edges 
f)f these 1)0 wis are as sharp as scythes. 

AA'e saw the process of this singular pitting. 
Heavv stones are caught on an an2:le of the bottom 
and rolled over and over without proceeding, till 
they wear out these cup-like holes, and are buried 
deeper and deeper in their ceaseless industry. As 
the 1)0 wl increases in size, it catches two workers 
instead of one, and these gi'ind each other and 
sri'ind the matrix till the verv heart of Xature 
must admit their toil, and pity their restlessness. 

Some of these irreat stone cui)s were hiuii out 
of water, empty and dry ; and theu' round tor- 
mentors lay in peace on the bottom. Some were 
above the surface, but still half full of water that 
had dashed into them from the rapid. 

But there was a keener evil than the circular 
knife tops of these vessels ; and it was their 
broken edges. 

^Mien the torrents of winter and spring thun- 



330 ETHICS OF BOXING AXD MANLY SPORT. 

der throus:!! the Great Foul Kift, whirl inir and 
draofiiiiiir trunks of trees and massive stones down 
the surcharged chan-nels, the pitted ledges of bot- 
tom and hank are smashed like potsherds, the 
imprisoned stones are released and shoot down 
the river, and the fractured rock remains to cut 
the water with irregular edges as sharp as a shat- 
tered punch-bowl. 

^Ve were sfoiuir into the Great Foul liift all 
this time, at the rate of — Imt who can tell the 
rate of rapid water? The best canoeman T know 
says there is no canoeing-water in America over 
twelve miles an hour. — ^I think he places this on 
the Susquehanna, below Columbia, — and that 
eight miles is very rapid indeed. He may l)e 
right ; but, were I asked how fast we went into 
the Great Foul Rift, T should say, at least, at (he 
rate of twelve miles an hour, and, in parts of the 
descent, much faster. 

Guiteras went tirst, but was causfht on a cov- 
ered flat stone in the quick, smooth water ; and 
Moseley led into the rai)id, Guiteras, who had 
floated oflf, followinir. I came about fiftv vards 
behind. 

From the first break of the water, the sensation 
was somewhat similar to that of fallinor through 
the branches of n tree. The river was twistinsr 
down-hill in convulsions. We rushed throu<rh 



DOWN THE DELAWARE RIVER. 331 

narrow slopes of ten or twenty feet as if we were 
fallino' and then shot round a rock, flinofins: the 
whole weiirht of our hodies on the steerinof-pad- 
die. The tall stones ahead seemed to be rushing 
at us with the velocity of an ocean steamer. 

All the time we were painfully conscious of the 
presence of the incisive edges under water, as 
one mioht feel the nearness of burglars' knives 
in the niizht. If we struck one of these stones 
on a downward shoot, it would rip the canoe 
from l)ow to stern. 

^loseley steered skilfully, and we cleared two- 
thirds of the tortuous descent without a shock. 
A quarter of a mile ahead we saw the smooth 
water at the foot of the rift. AVe had crossed 
the river, and were runnino- down on the Penn- 
sylvania shore. Suddenly, the channel we were 
in divided at a irreat white stone, the wider water 
going to the left, toward the centime of the river, 
and a narrow black streak keeping straight down 
to the riirht. 

A memory of the warning came to me, *' Keep 
to the riirht of the bis: rock, — if vou can." But 
it was too late. A man could not hear his own 
shout in such an uproar. The white rock rushed 
past us. The canoes ahead had turned with the 
main stream, and were in the centre of the river 
in a flash. Suddenly both canoes ahead were 



332 ETHICS OF BOXIXG AND MANLY SPORT. 

shot out of the channel, their bows in the air 
resting on a hidden rock ; and the current, just 
then turning a sharp curve, swept by their sterns 
with a rush. Fortunately they were out of the 
stream, driven into an eddy, or that had been 
the end of thein. 

I had time to profit by their mishap. Kneeling 
in the canoe, using the long-handled paddle, I 
rounded the curve within a foot of the cfi'ounded 
canoes, and fairly leaped downhill on a rounded 
muscle of water. In the rush, a thrill swept my 
nerves — and another — as if twice I had touched 
cold steel. T found later that my canoe had 
twice been pierced by the knife-like edges under 
water. 

Before I realized it, the end had come, and the 
canoe shot across the river in a sweeping eddy. 
The Great Foul Rift was behind me. 

A fisherman on the bank had been watchins: 
our passage. " You ought to have kept to the 
right of that stone," he shouted. '' See, there's 
the channel !" And, looking up, I saw it, straight 
as a furrow from the big white stone, keeping 
swift, close to the Pennsylvania shore, unbroken, 
and safe. Had we kept in this straight way the 
Great Foul Rift would to us have been no more 
than an exairire rated name. 

The grounded canoemen pushed free, and were 



H 
I 

m 

■n 
O 
O 



o 

O 
XI 

m 
> 



o 

c 



:a 




DOAVN THE DELAWARE RIVEH. 333 

down in a minute ; and then we went ashore, and 
while Moselcy photographed the Great Foul Rift, 
the others phuiged into the delicious water, that 
seemed too peaceful and sweet ever to have been 
violent and brutal. 

Half a mile below the Great Foul Rift, we 
came to the pastoral scene of the voyage, ^9ar 
excellence. It was ideal and idA'Ilic — sunny and 
varied as a Watteau paintinir. It was not £>Teat 
or grand in any way; but simply peacefid, pas- 
toral, lovely. 

It was a sloping hillside, of two or three farms, 
risiiiir from the river. There were low-roofed 
homesteads, smothered in soft domestic-looking 
foliaae. A round-arched stone brido'e spanned 
a stream in the forec^round. Cows and horses 
stood in the shadow of the trees in the fields, and 
a drove of cows stood in the river, the reflection 
a.i distinct as the cow — like Ilerrick's swans, that 
''floated doable — swan and shadow." Dark 
woods framed the scene on both sides and on 
top, children's voices at l)lay filled the air, and a dog- 
barked joyously, joining in some romping game. 

We laid our paddles on the canoes in front of 
us, and floated a full mile throuah the lovely 
picture. It can never be forgotten. In its 
quiet way, nothing equalled it on the whole river. 

" Photograph the place," I said to Moseley. 



334 ETHICS OF BOXIX(i AM) MANLY yPOKT. 

'*No," he ivpliod. ''It is too oood for anv 
tiling but meinoiy." 

And then followed ji r;ire picture of another 
kind, or rather a })ieee of statuary. AVe had 
stopped to cook and eat a nol)le 1)ass. ^Ve sat 
on the l)ank, near a cosey farm-house, which 
nestled in trees a little withdrawn from the river. 
The farmer, a young, roughly-clad man, with 
kiughing bright eyes and a l)rown, good-humored 
face, came down the shady road, ridinsf a o-reat 
draught-horse, and leading another. Following 
him, were his two little sons, perhaps ten and 
twelv^e years old. 

He chatted pleasantly with us, while he unlaced 
his heayy boots, and undressed. 

" Are you going to swim?" asked Guiteras. 
" I am going to wash my horses," he said. 
Just then he pulled his gray woollen shirt oyer 
his head, and stood naked beside the horse, pre- 
paring to jump on his back. AVe fairly shouted 
with admiration, the man was so superl)ly hand- 
some, and so maryellously nmscular. He smiled 
pleasantly, as if not surprised, jumped on his 
horse and rode into the deep water; his two 
yellow-haired boys sitting on the bank, with 
their hands clasped in front of their legs, watch- 
ing their father with i)rofound pleasure. 

We were accustomed to seeinsf athletes in train- 



DOWN THE DELAWAllE IIIVEK. 335 

ing ; but none of us had ever seen the equal of 
this man. He swam his horses out in the deep 
water fen* a quarter of an hour, riding like a Cen- 
taur, every nuiscle on his lithe body sinking, 
gathering, contracting, disappearing, in the most 
astonishing Avay. He was not a tall or heavy 
man. When dressed, he was almost common 
looking'. But never a Greek or Koman gladiator, 
in life or marl)le, was more beautiful or more 
powerful than that young Jersey farmer. 

When we came to float the canoes, after dinner, 
I saw, with disniav, that mine was almost half full 
of water. In a alance, I realized the meanino- of 
the quick tremors that had chilled me in the last 
rush of the Great Foul Rift. The canoe had been 
struck twice under the water-line by the keen- 
edired rocks. 

I feared that the end of my trip had come ; but 
we emptied the water and found that the leaks, 
wdiich were clean-cut, as if by a knife, had swelled, 
and almost closed. Eastonwas a dozen or fifteen 
miles away ; and when we got there, ^loseley 
thought he could patch the canoe Avith resin and 
linen and make her water-tight. 

But it was a heavy paddle, though the sti'cam 
raced downhill. One of the cuts was bruised 
afresh, in a rapid about four miles above Easton, 
and the water spurted into the canoe. 



33() ETHICS. OF BOXING AM) MANLY Sl'UKT. 

It was dark to hlackiies.s on a Saturdav ni'dit 
as we paddk'tl down to Easton. We had been 
told of a strong rapid just above the eity. l)at we 
eould not see it; we coukl only ht^ar it. the roar 
doubled l)y the niuht and the imairination. We 
had run two or three small ritts in the dusk, and 
had eseaped pretty well ; and there was nothinir 
for us Init to venture again, in the dark, for 
nowhere eould we find a place to land or leave 
our canoes. 

Heavy as a sick animal, my i)oor little water- 
logged boat wallowed alouir. To strike now was 
doubly dangerous, for her weight would smash 
her, bow or beam. The other canoes went ahead. 
We had been instructed to keep *• on the Jersev 
side of the island." When we entered the rapids, 
we only paddled for steerage- way. The men 
ahead kept shouting to me ; but, when the rush 
of the fall came, I was too far to the right, and 
I brought up heavily on the very outermost stone 
of the reef. 

The canoe was so firmly fixed, that I could 
have stayed there all night, by sittinir quiet. I 
tried to push off, but could not. I tried to get 
out; but the stone was sloping, and oUered no 
footing. The water, visible oidy for a few tl^et, 
like a flood of i?dv, ran with tremendous force on 
both sides of the stone. The other canoes were 



DOWN THE DELAWARE RIVER. 337 

out of hearin.<j ; and the niirht was as black as the 
inside of a cave, with the brii>ht, electric liohts 
of the city, a quarter of a mile away, set upon 
what seemed hii>h cliffs above the river. 

Plowever it was to l)e done, I nmst get out, and 
ease the canoe otf the rock. This was one of the 
minutes in which the diso^usted canoeman resolves 
to give up the sport. If I pushed her over, down 
stream, I could never hold her to o^et in : she 
nmst be })ulled back, and then pushed round the 
stone. Slowly and cautiousl}^ I got out, and into 
the water behind the stone, which was almost 
waist-deep. When the canoe was pulled l)ack, 
I o'ot in, with some trouble; and a few minutes 
later joined the others at the end of the rift. 

Then beo-an a hunt for a landing'. We found 
that, in the citv of Easton, there is not a single 
landing-place where we could put up our ]K)ats 
for the niiilit. At last v»^e were directed to a 
place where boats were kept on the bank, on the 
Jersey side ; and there we found an ol)liging and 
interesting man named John Horn (the l)()ys 
called him "Tippy" Horn), who allowed us to 
carry the canoes up on his rocks, and who stored 
our bao^ofafye, and then rowed us across to Easton. 
. He was an old river-man ; and he said that he 
had never seen the water so low as it was then. 
He was a type of the calm, polite, and intelligent; 



338 ETHICS OF ROXIXU AND MANLY SPORT. 

coiiinioii peoplo we had met everywhere on the 
Delaware, lie spoke so slowly, and enuneiated 
his svllai)les so clearly, Avith his r\s l)urrinii: 
stronirly, that voii listened to his sensible >^en- 
tences with odd pleasure. 

That niiiht we stopped at an excellent hotel in 
Easton ; and, while enjovinir the pleasant rest of 
room and l)ed instead of tent and sand, we re- 
ceived a visit from two 2:enial canoemen, wlio 
were on a pedestrian tour through the mining 
districts, and who recoi^nized our names on the 
register. One was ^Ir. Kirk ^lonroe, then })resi- 
dent of the New York Canoe Club ; and the other, 
^Ir. Rogers, the artist, whose clever sketches in 
''Life*' and other periodicals have made his re- 
putation national. 

AVe found the citizens of Easton sufterinir from 
the intolera])le system of the " Law-and-Order " 
fanatics, Avho controlled the town, and who had 
established a system of secret espionage of which 
the police were used as the tools. 

Next day, on the rocks, assisted by ]\Ir. Horn 
and ]\lr. Horn's' two or three children, and ph'as- 
antlv watched by a sittinirriuiz* of smokinir foundry- 
men, Moseley heated his resin, and i)atched the 
damaged Blanid from stem to stern. We found 
that the sharp edges of the Great Foul Ivift had 
cut her as a Ijravo cuts his victim. AMien we 



BOAVX THE DEL AAV ARE HI VEIL 339 

floated her, she had anvthino: but a racmo: bottom ; 
but she was as tiirht as a drum. 

Below Eastou, opposite the great rollmg-mill, 
we saw a siiiht of strikino: effect. — a multitude of 
men and boys — })erhaps a hundred altogeth-er — 
strii)i)ed for swinmiinir, inid standing: on the hiuh 
bank. They were outlined against the sky ; and 
as we passed them a hundred yards olf, they 
seemed models of liirlitness and orace. It was 
probal^ly the great number c1 white bodies that 
made the scene so stranii'e. 

Such peaches as we lived on that day — such 
cantelopes, such melons ! Such an island as we 
camped on, with clean sand as soft as flour ! Such 
a spring pouring out of the mountain across the 
river, the water as cold as ice, and as clear as 
liquid diamonds I AVe enjoyed it with the keen- 
ness born of regret ; for next day one of our party 
would have to leave the river. 

At Reiirelsville, next dav, a little Jersev town 
on a high bank, ^loseley boarded the train with 
his canoe. The other two proceeded ; but it was 
lonely for a day or two, and we sadly missed the 
strong canoeman and the cheery companion who 
had left us. 

A few miles below Reiirelsville the river makes 
a dive down hill, without breaking, so that we 
seemed to be on a level with the tops of trees 



340 ETHICS OF JiOXING AND MANLV SPORT. 

c:rowin2^ on the bunk a mile ahead. At the foot 
of such a decline, we heard the growl of a rapid, 
and found a division in the river, formed ]\y an 
island. We kept to the left : we ought to have 
kept to the right. With a few touches, I got 
tlirouii'h ; but Guiteras was " hun<>' up" in the 
worst ]iart of the rapid. He tried all ways to 
get olf without leaving the boat ; but he had to 
come to it in the end. And a dangerous time he 
had for a few minutes. The water was deej), and 
the powerful current swept the boat against his 
body, and nearly upset him. He had hard work 
to hold her back, and get in without capsizing. 

Then we came to one of the noblest features of 
the whole river. On our right, rising sheer as a 
wall from the water, was a clift', which must l)e 
several hundred feet high. It was formed of 
layers of rock, eacli layer i')erhaps forty or fifty 
feet deep, and each differing a little in color from 
the others, so that it looked like a vast storied 
buildinsf. On the narrow lediie at the foot of 
each laver, trees and shrul)s i^rew, so that the 
whole face of the clifi' was softened with foliage 
which was so feathery that still the entire wall 
was visible. In places it was like the outer 
barrier of a mi<j:htv fortress ; and in others there 
was an absolute likeness to artilicial masonry. 

This majestic clilf ran for perhai)s a mile. 



DOWN THE DELAWARE RIVER. 341 

and then ended abruptly in a soft green hillside 
of cultivated fields. 

But our last rapid had started the leaks in my 
canoe, and I was bailins^ everv few hundred 
yards. As the evening was closing;, and it threat- 
ened rain, we resolv^ed to carry the canoes into 
the canal, get aboard a canal-boat, and mend the 
broken Blanid. 

The tow-path was only a hundred yards from 
the river. A heartv canal-man made us welcome 
on his boat which had a hundred tons of coal on 
board. His name, he told us, was "Johnnie 
Curran, from Bristol, down the river." His mate 
was a small, foxy man, called " Billy," who spoke 
and walked like a paralytic ; but a civil fellow 
when he got a little present. 

" Johnnie " Curran was about thirty-three years 
old; rather below middle stature, but strong and 
active, with a stern face, like a fiuhtinir man ; 
but with a merry eye and a smile in keeping, so 
that his features were lit up with constant good- 
humor and good-nature. He had lost two front 
teeth, and there was a deep scar on his forehead. 

Everyone knew him on the tow-path and the 
canal. He was constantly hailing some friend, 
man or woman, by familiar names, or returning 
like friendly salutations. He had been canalling 
" twenty years, like his father before him." He 



342 ETiiics OF JioxiNi; and manly sroirr. 

had never known so poor a year as tliis for eanal- 
men. "Rut. poor as he was, ho threw a h)af or 
something else to every poor tramp we passed on 
the tow-path. 

He was called, and he called himself, '' John- 
neni." In the night (we slept on his boat, which 
was tied to the bank) we heard passing hails : 
" AVho are you?" •• Johnnem." " Hello, John- 
nem ; hope you're well ! " 

A mem()ral>le incident occurred while we were 
on Johnnem's l)oat. We passed a canalside inn, 
where men and nudes are housed. The landlord, 
nu old canaller, sat at the door, and hailed us 
warndv. 

''Who did vou have over Sundav?" asked 
Johnnie Curran. 

" Oh, we liad a irood time — a lot of the riuht 
sort. We had Barrett, and Patterson, and Al- 
legliany — and a lot more; and then ^ we had 
Mike ! " 

" ]\Iike ! Well, then, vou did have a irood 
time. Where was he iroinjr?" 

" Went down to Lambertville, last night." 

"Goodbv!" 

'* Good luck. Johimem ! " 

Then Johnnie told us what a " ijood fellow" 
Mike was, and how })opular on the canal. We 
soon had evidence to that etlect. A boat, passing, 



DOWN THE DELAWARE RIVER. 343 

entertained us with an account of " a s^reat time " 
with Mike the niirht before. 

Presently we passed a pretty little cottage be- 
tween the canal and the river : over the low irarden 
gate leant a young woman, whom Johnnie Cur- 
ran saluted thus : 

'' Evenin', Julia." 

^'Evenin', Johnnem." 

Johnnie, with a wink at us, to cover his 
duplicity : 

' ' Mike here Sunday ? " 

«* 'Xo," sulkily ; " but he was up at Steele's." 

'* ^Vell — he'll come next Sunda}^" 

'^ Don't care if he never comes." 

" Oh, yes you do. Good-l)y, Julia." 

*' Xo, I don't. Good-bv Johnnem." Pause of 
moment. 

*' Say, Johnnem ! " 

'^AVhat is it?" 

" You needn't tell Mike I said that." 

" No fear, Julia. I'll tell him to come up 
Sunday." 

And Johnnie Curran lauirhed low to himself, 
as if he knew the ways of womankind. It was a 
dismal drizzly eveninix, and we had to i>o alouir 
till ten o'clock. Then, at Lambertville, we were 
to tie up till mornina". As the niiiht o^rew the 
rain increased, and at ten it was a steady down- 



o44 ETHICS OF BOXING AND .MANLY .SPOIIT. 

l)()iir. AVo were grateful for the slieltcr of the 
stilliim- little cabin of the canal-boat, where 
*' Billy "\snored, and *' Billy's" doix had convul- 
sive dreams, in one of which he i)lunged oyer 
Guiteras, and scratched his face. 

It was about live next niorniiiir when we started. 
I was half asleep in the cabin when I heard a man 
shout from the tow-p:ith. 

'' Johnnem, did you hear al)out Mike?" 

There was somethinir in the man's tone that 
made me sit up and listen. 

'^ What about him?" 

*' He's down there on the lock — drowned ! " 

*'G()dI" hissed Johnnie Curran, as if he had 
been struck l)y a missile. " Drowned, you say?" 

" Dead ! We took him out of the canal last 
night. He fell in comiif aboard. Poor^NIikel" 

AVhen we came to the lock, Johnnie Curran 
jumped ashore and joined the group of canal -men, 
who stood near the Ijody. They nroyed aside to 
let Johnnie see ; and he stood with folded arms a 
full minute lookinir down at ^like. Then he drew 
a lonir breath, and turned away, rai)idly brushinir 
his eyes with his hand, and came aboard. He 
went on with his work without a word, thouirh it 
was obvious that the dead man had l)een an oKl 
and close friend. 

We crossed the riyer in elohnnie Curran's boat, 



DOWN THE DELAWARE RIVER. 345 

and left him soon after, carr^^ng our canoes down 
to the river. \Velles's Falls, at Lanil^ertviile, had 
not water enoua'h to float us throuirh. The run 
before us was about ten miles to Trenton, and the 
stream was swift. It was a perfect afternoon, 
clear, warm, and calm. The scenerv above Tren- 
ton is surprisino'lv beautiful, though there is no 
elevation higher than the tree-tops. It was a 
superb open picture of river and reflection, wood 
and cloud, with the city spires in the distance 
seen under the square openings of two extraordi- 
narily-handsome bridges. It would be difficult to 
name, in the world, a more beautiful opening to 
a city than the four miles of the Delaware above 
Trenton . 

"The Trenton Canoe Club" was the leo-end 
printed on a boat-house under the shadow of the 
city bridge ; and there we stopped. 

The house was closed ; but we went up to the 
genial toll-keeper of the bridge, — a venerable 
man, with a face like George AVashington, and a 
manner to equal it, — who stored our traps and 
directed us to the hotel. The old man pointed out 
the difficulties of Trenton Falls, below the bridsfe, 
and said that he had hardlv ever seen the water 
so low. 

" I'll go with you mj^self, to-morrow !" said the 
courteous veteran; "I'll take a boat and show 
vou the wav down the falls." 



34() ETHICS OF ROXIXG AND MANLY SPOUT. 

Next morning he was " as good as his word ;" 
but we had with us the i)resident of the Caiioe 
Chib, who ran down the intricate cliannel of 
the falls, readily and i)leasantlv chattiuir all the 
while. He was in a light canoe, which he handled 
splendidlv. 

*'A few years airo, before we beofan canoeino- 
here," he said, "everyone dreaded these falls. 
Nobody ever ran them but the luni])ermen. Now 
we come down in our canoes for fun, and dra"^ the 
boats back alongshore." 

At the l)ottom of the falls, which are more por- 
tentous in name and aspect than in descent or 
velocity, we entered tidal water. No more rapids 
or rifts to Philadelphia, or the sea. The kindly 
Trenton canoeman left us with a manly grip that 
was i)leasant to remember : and, with the wind 
and tide against us, we started for Philadelphia, 
forty-tive miles away. 

Below Trenton the Delaware is uninterestin<'- 
for canoemen. We were so used to swift water 
that we seemed to be anchored while paddling 
under adverse circumstances. We st()i)ped at 
Florence that night, and next day shipj)ed our 
canoes on a river steamer, and ran down to Phila- 
delphia. 

Looking back, we salute the Delaware with 
love and admiration. It has tilled our minds with 



DOWX THE DELAWARE RI VEIL 347 

memories and pictures to ])e cherished for a life . 
time. Xoblest of rivers for canoemen, but only 
for those who come before the middle of Jnlv. 
In the freshets of :\Iry and June, a ruu down the 
Delaware must be a revelation of joy. Then, not 
one rock of all that beset our way would be visible 
or dangerous. We came down a depleted vein : 
in early summer the Delaware is a full arterv. 
But with all these drawbacks, on our list of 
canoeing-rivers we must give the first place to the 
Delaware. 



INDEX. 



Academy, Royal Irish, 169. 

Air-bag, The, Use of, 133. 

Alcohol, Its Use in Training, 124. 

Althorp, Lord, Opinion of Boxing, 2. 

America, Athletics in, 80. 

American Fairplay Rules, C6. 

Amycus and Pollux, IT. 

Appalaken, Description of Susquehanna River at, 270. 

Appendix, The, 88. 

Art, Ancient Irish, 218. 

Athens, Singing Beach at, 274. 

Athletes, Diet in Training, 114. 

" Leading Irish, 171-2-3. 

" Not Short Lived, 104. 

" Training of, 103, 106. 

" The Grecian, Definition of, 18. 

" " '' Diet in Training, 115. 

" " " How Esteemed, 19. 

" " " Training of, 22. 

Athletics, See Introduction. 
Athletics in the School, Necessity of, 147, 152. 
Back Sword, Definition of, 44. 
Ballymote, See Book of. 
Banting, Mr., Plan for Reducing Flesh, 155. 
Bare Hand Fighting, 6. 

(349) 



350 INDEX. 

Bare Knuckle Battle, The Longest, 80. 
Baronotf, Capt., 73, 

Battle Axes, When First Used in Ireland, 179. 
Benen, The Law of, 213. 
Bolly-dart, Gai-bolga, 220. 
Big Foul Rift, See Great Foul Bift. 
Binghaniton, Description of the Kiver at, 262. 
Binns, Dr., Anatomy of Sleep, 159. 
Book of Ballymote, 208, 211. 
" " Kells, 218. 

" " Leinster, 200, 207, 212, 215, 217. 
" " Js^avan, 193. 
" " Rights, 198, 213. 
Boston School Board, Ext. From Report of Hygiene Cora., 147. 
Boxers, Races Avho have produced them, 02. 

" British, History of, 51. 
Boxing, Antiquity of, 1, 11. 

" Comparative Value of, 1. 

Distinction between Ancient and Modern, 13. 
English Claim to Invention Unfounded, 15. 
" English Style, The Brutalities of, 5. 
" With Greeks and Romans, 14, 29. 
Breakfast, The, in Training, 127. 
Breathing, How to Breathe Properly, 144. 

" See also Deep Breathing. 

Brehon Laws, 188, 204. 
British Boxing, G. 
Bromidon, an Ideal Brook, 257. 
Bronze Weapons in Ireland, 175. 
Broughton, John, 48. 

" " The Father of Modern Boxing, 11. 

Broughton' s Rules 48, 50. 
Canoe, The Comparative Value of, 243, 244. 
Carman, 190, 200. 

" See Fair of Carman. 
Cattle-Prey of Cooley {Tain-llo-Chuaihjne), 215. 
"Celt," 180, 181. 






INDEX. 351 

Cestus, The Greek, Use of, 13, 15, 16. 

" " Roman, 16, 36. 

Challenges, Specimens of, 47. 
Chambers, Dr. T. K., Quotation from, 117, 153. 
Champion's Hand-Stone, 177, 178. 
Chaucer, Geoffrey, on Irish bowmen, 179. 
Chess, Antiquity of, in Ireland, 201. 
Chopper, The, 16. 
Clasper, H., Quotation from, 128. 
Clinch, The, m, 90. 
Closed Windows, Evil of, 137. 
Conn, of the Hundred Battles, 189. 
Connecticut River, The, its Value to Canoeists, 259. 
Cooper, George, .54. 
Corpulence, How to Reduce, 153. 
Costello, Rev. Fr., Hospitality of, 272. 
Craisech, The, of the Firbolgs, 176. 
Cribb, Thos., 58. 
Cross-buttock, 57. 

" " Antiquity of, 200. 

Cross-counter Blow, 27, 29,61, 81. 
Cuclmllain, See Cuchullin. 
Cuchullin, 185, 219. 
Curragh, The, of Kildare, 53. 
Cynisca, 25. 
Cyrene, 23. 

Dares and Entellus, Episode of, 29, 31. 
Davies, Sir John, Quotation from, 237. 
Delaware River, Description of, 311, 319. 
Delaware Water Gap, 322. 
Deep Breathing, Necessity of, 111, 144. 
Deer-Island, Newburyport, 310. 
Diagoras of Rhodes, Story of, 20. 
Diet in Training, 114, 

" " " by Dr. F. A. Hariis, 119. 
Diet of Greek Athletes, 21, 115. 
Dindsenchas, a Gaelic Tract, 203. 



352 



INDEX. 



Dinner, The, in Training, 129, 
Donald na Xgeelacli, 205. 
Donnelly, Dan, 52, 60. 
Donnelly's Hollow, 55. 
•• Dueking" in boxing, 9. 
Dumb-bells, How to Exercise with, 135. 

" The Use of, 133, 137, 

Entellus and Dares, Episode of, 29, 31. 
Eochaid Garbh, 203. 
Epeus and Euryalus, Episode of, 29. 
Exercise in Daily Life, 141, 162. 
" Training, 129, 134. 
FAiit of Carman, 207, 208, 210, 214. 

" " Tailten, 207. 
Fairs, Ancient Irish, 202. 

Fair-Play Pailes. See American Fair-Play Rules. 
Famous Prize-figliters, List of, 105. 
Fenians, Etymology of, 189. 
Ferdiad, Fight of, 219, 220. 
Feudalism, Its Influence on Athletics, 37. 

" Formal Introduction into England, 40. 

Fianna Eireann, 189, 193. 

" " Ten Conditions of Membership, 193, 195. 

Fiarlanna, The, 177, 209. 
Figg, James, 43. 
Figlit, Longest bare-hand, 80. 
glove, 80. 

'' for Largest Stake, 80. 

" First in America, 80. 
Finn, Boyish Exploits of, 200. 
Firbolg Craisech, 176. 
Firbolgs, 175. 
Food, Conditions for taking, 122. 

" How to Prepare it for Training, 120. 

" See also Diet. 
Fresh Air, Value of, 138, 141. 
Gai-bolga. See Belly Dart. 



INDEX. 353 

Gladiatorial Games, Abolition of, 36. 

" Sliows, 32, 33. 

Gladiators, Origin of, 33. 
Gladstone, Wm. E., Quotation from, 242. 
Glove Fighting, Superiority of, 6. 

" " The Longest, 80. 

" " "What Sullivan has done for it, 8. 

Gouging, 61. 
Great Foid Eift, Description of, 304. 

" " " Running Through, 330. 
Greek Athletes, Diet of, 21, 11.5. 

" " List of most Celebrated, 22, 23. 

" " Training of, 22, 25. 

Greek Boxers, Position of, 14. 

'• " Skill of, 26. 

Greek National Games, 18. 

" Sacred Games, 23. 
Guiteras, Dr. Eanion, Canoeing Trip, 244, 305. 
Hall, Thos., Fight with Donnelly, 52. 
Hanging-bag, The, 132, 164. 

" See also. Air-bag. 

Harris, Dr. Francis A., Treatise on Diet in Training, 118. 
Harvard System, The. of Training. 117. 
Heenan, John C, 63. 

'' " Physical Condition in Fight with King, 109. 

Holmes, Oliver "\V., Quotation from, 2, 103. 
Horse Pacing, Ancient Irish, 200, 
Hunting, Ancient Irish, 200. 
Hurling, Antiquity of, 195, 197. 
Hurst, " Staley Bridge Infant,"' 66. 
Illustrations, The, 88. 
Ireland, Ancient Games of, 170. 
" Ancient Weapons of, 171. 
" Minerals of, 239, 241. 
" Natural Resources of, 236. 
Irish, The, Their Comparative Rank as Athletes, 170. 
Irus, Fight with Ulysses, 27. 



354 INDEX. 

Joyce, Dr., on the Danes in Ireland, 208. 

Kane, Sir Rob't, L.L.D., on Strength of Irishmen, 170. 

Keating, Rev. Dr. Geoffrey, 191, 193. 

Kells, See Book of. 

Kih'ain, 79. 

King, Tom, 0."). 

Laflix, John M., "The Model Man," 163. 

Laighin, The, 177. 

Lancet, The, Quotation from, 109. 

Leinster, See Book of Leinster. 

Lia Lamha Laich, Champion's Hand-Stone, 177, 178. 

Lic-tailme, 177, 190. 

Liquids, Use of in Training. 123, 129. 

London Prize Ring Rules, 89, 90. 

Lugaidli Lam-fadlia, 203. 

MAii, Queen, 220. 

Mace, Bronze, 65. 

" Jem, fight with King, 6.5. 
Maclaren on Respiration, 111. 
Magh Tuireadh, Battle of, Weapons Used, 177. 
Manais, The, 177, 186, 187, 217. 
Marquis of Queensberry Rules, 89, 95. 
Meat, Use of in Training, 115, 120. 
Mendoza, Daniel, his Blows, 61. 
Milk, Use of in Training. 120, 123. 
:Milo. 21. 

Mitchell, Chas., Contest with Sullivan, 6, 75. 
Modern Boxing, How Improved by Sullivan, 5. 
Molineaux, Thos., 54, 62. 
^Nlolyneaux, See Molineaux. 
Morgan, Dr. John. Statistics of Training, 104. 
Moseley, Edw. A., Canoeing with, 305. 
Muscular Power, Its Comparative Value, 111. 
Museum, Royal Irish Academy, 169. 
Music, Ancient Irish, 216. 
MiLsical Beach, 274, 
Nations Who Have Produced National Boxers, 62. 



INDEX. 355 



ISTavan, See Book of. 

Xewenham, T., on Resources of Ireland, 288-240. 

Normans, The, in England, 39. 

O'CuRUY, Prof., ITS, 192. 

O'llartagan, Cineadh, Poem, 190. 

Oliver, Fight with Donnelly, 58. 

Ollamh Fodhla, 204 

Olympian Games, Order of, 24. 

" . " Preparation for, 25. 

" " Prizes of, 19, 24. 

O'Keefe, Father, Hospitality of, 255. 
O'Shea, Michael C, on Ancient Exercises, 204. 
Over-Training, Effects of, 108. 
Oxford, A Day's Training at, 116. 
Oxygen, its place in Xature, 140. 
Palstave, 180, 181. 
Pancratium, The, 22. 
Peel, Sir Robert, Opinion of Boxing, 1. 
Perelchine, Lieut. Michael, 72. 
Petit, Fight with Slack, 50. 
Pherenice, 25. 
Pillows, The Use of, 162. 
Poets, Ancient Irish, Power of, 220. 
Pollux, The God of Boxing, 16. 
Prize Fighters, Ages of most Famous, 105. 
Prize Ring, Rules of, 89-96. 
Prizes for Boxing among the Greeks, 19. 
Pugilism among the Greeks, 14. 

" Why Essential to Education, 1 

QUEENSBEKKY Rui.ES, 89, 95. 

Rapids, The, of the Susquehanna, 207. 

" Best Way to Run, 316. 
Respiration, Value of, IJl. 
Rest after Meals, 123. 
Rift, Definition of a Delaware, 309. 
Rights, See Book of. 
Round Blow, Antiquity of, 8. 



356 INDEX. 

Round Blow, How Delivered, 10, 11. 

" " Mendoza's Opinion of, 61. 
Eowing, 12S, l:]l. 

Royal Irish iSea], The History of a, 182, 1&4. 
Royal Irish Academy, see Academy. 
Rules of the Ring, Definition of, 4, 5. 

" " " See also Broughton, London, Marquis of Q. 

" " " *' American Fairplay. 

liunning, The Value of, 113. 

" " in Training, 132. 

Rushton, great Canoe Builder, 306. 
Russell, T. O'Xeill, Letter of, 198. 
Russian Sea Fight, 72. 
Saint Ciakax, 217-219. 
Sand-Bag, The, its Use in Training, 13.3. 
Sayers, Tom, 62, 63. 
Sccithach, "War College of, 18.5. 
Second Wind, The, 112. 
Shadow, Canoe Model, Use of, 269. 
Shaw, British Life-Guai-dsman, 70. 
Shelley, P. B., on Diet, 157. 
Slack & Petit, Story of, 50. 
Sleep, how to Induce it, 159. 

" Its Value in Training, 124, 130. 
Slegh, The, 177, 226, 227. 
Sling-Stone, The, 177, 196. 
Smith, Sydney, On Eating and Drinking, 156. 

" " Opinion of Boxing, 3. 

Spardha, The, 181. 
Sparring, Its Value in Training, 127. 

" With whom to Spar, 132. 
Spenser, Edmund, Description of Ireland, 236. 
Springfield, a Day at, 25.5. 
Stakes, The Largest, 80. 
Staley Bridge Infant, The, 66. 
Straight-Counter, 73. 
Striking Bag. See Hanging Bag. 



INDEX. 357 

Stiiic, or War Horn, 196. 

Sullivan, John L., Contest with Mitchell, 6, 75. 

" •' Analysis of His Style, TO. 

Sunburn, The Remedy for, 2-54. 

Susquehanna Eiver, Description of, for Canoeists, 268. 
Swimming, 83. 
Sword, Eelationship to Boxing, 12, 38. 

" The Use of, 45. 
Tailtex, Ancient Irish Games at, 195, 200, 202, 203, 205. 
Tain-B6-Chuailgne, 215. 
Tchernoff, Lieut.-Colonel, 72. 
Telemachus, 36. 

" Telltown Marriage," 206. See also Tailten. 
Thackeray, AVm. M., Poem on Heenan and Sayers, 64. 
Tuatha De Danann, 176, 179, 182. 
Tipton Slasher, The, 63. 
Tobacco, Its Use in Training, 124 
Training, The Danger of, 103, 106. 

" The Purpose of, 106, 107. 

" " Advice on, by Dr. Harris, 118. 

Trenton, Beautiful River at. .346 

Canoe Club, 346. 
Ulysses and Irus, Episode of. 27. 
Tapper-Cut, 62. 

Vegetables, Use in Training. 115, 120. 
Venerable Bede, Opinion of Ancient Ireland, 236. 
Vesta, 71. 

"Walking before Breakfast, 126. 
Walpack Bend, Description of, 317, 320. 
Wapentake, 39. 

" "When and Iioav Abolished, 40. 

"Water, Use of in Training, 123, 129. 
Water-Gap, Description of, 322. 
Weapons, Ancient Irish. 

Weapon Feats, Ancient Irish, List of, 185-187. 
Westhall, Charles. Suggestions on Training, 127. 
Whateley, Dr., Exercise to Induce Sleep, 160. 



358 



INDEX. 



Wilde, Sir Wm., Quotation from, 205, 207, 218. 

Wilkosbarre, Caiiooincr Episode at, 280. 

Women, (ireek and Koman. their delation to the National 

Oames, 25, 
AVoodford, W. B., on Reducing Corpulency. 154. 
AVoodgate, W. K , Exercise in Training, I.JO. 

'' Food in Training, ] 14. 
AVrestling, Antiquity of, I'.)'). 

Wyatt, M. Digby, on Early Irish Manuscripts, 218. 
Yale System of Training. 117. 
Young. Arthur, on Resources of Ireland, 238. 



THE 



STATUES IN THE BLOCK, 

AXD OTHER POEMS. 



BY JOHN BOYLE 0'REILJ_Y. 



OPrS'IOXS OF THE PKESS. 

Trom T7ie Boston Daily Adrertiser. 

"Mr. O'Reilly excels in drairiatic poetry. When he has an 
heroic story to tell, he tells it \*ith ardor and vigor; he appreci- 
ates all its nobleness of soul, as well as its romantic and pictur- 
esque situations; and his 'Song for the Soldiers,' and 'The 
Mutiny of the Cha ns,' in his last Tolume, show with what 
power he can portray the daring and heroism that have stirred 
his own heart. He writes with ease and free«lom, but his 
I)oems of love and of discontent are not superior to those of 
other well-known English poets. His best work in this \t-ay are 
• Her Refrain,* a sweet, tender poem, true to life; and * Wait- 
ing,' that is far more impassioned. The cynical verses and 
epigrams scattered through the book are piquant, and enhance 
its sweetness, as bitter almonds do the richness of confection- 
ery. There is another side still to Mr. O'Reilly's poetry, and 
it would be easy to represent him as chiefly religious, earnest, 
and tender. His poems abound in passages like the following 
from • Living " : — 

'• • Who waits and sympathizes with the pettiest life. 
And lores all things, and reaches up to God 
With thanks and blessing — he alone is liring." 

(1) 



THE STATUES IN THE JJLOCK. 

" And ' From the Earth a Cry,' this Hue:— 

" 'God purifies slowly by peace, aiul urgently by fire.' 

" From ' The Statues in the Block ' : — 

" ' And I know 
That when God gives to us the clearest sight, 
He does not touch our eyes with Love, but Sorrow.' " 

From The Neio York II V>,-///. 



U-VT. 



Nobody can look over Mr. O'Reilly's poems without being 
convinced that they are poems ; that is to say, that the writer 
has really something to say. and something which could not be 
said so well or so completely in prose. Those Avho are in the 
habit of looking over current volumes of verse will recognize 
that this is very much to say of them. Mr. O'Reilly's verses 
are, indeed, quite out of the common. There is not one of the 
poems in this thin volume that is not a genuine poem in the 
sense that it records a genuine and poetical impression. His 
talent is essentially, we should say almost exclusively, dra- 
matic, as strictly dramatic as Browning's. The most success- 
ful of these poems are those which are professedly dramatic 
rather than those which are contemplative. This excellence in 
dramatic verse is national. From Thomas Davis down, the 
Irish lyrists, who are worthy of classification at all in poetry, 
excel in representation of rapid action and of the emotion which 
is connected with rapid action; and this is what we call dra- 
matic Excellence. Mr. O'Reilly's chief successes are in such 
poems as 'A Song for the Soldiers,' and 'The Mutiny of the 
Chains,' in the present volume." 

Newark- (X ,/.) Mornbirj Hey later. 

" Roberts Brothers, Boston, have just published ' The Statues 
in the Block, and Other Poems,' by John Boyle O'Reilly. The 
poem that gives the book its title is the stoiy of four persons 
looking at a block of marble and seeing an ideal in it. One, her 
he loved, his jewel, and the jewel of the world. Another, her 
upon Avhom he lavished coin — he drank the wine she filled and 



THE STATUES IN THE BLOCK. 6 

made her eat the dregs, and drenched her honey with a sea of 
gall ; he, however, was hut one, who swooned with love beside 
her. The third was suffering 'Motherland,' and, as may be 
supposed, the author's i>en waxes strong at picturing the sor- 
row, because — 



5 



" • Xo love but thine can satisfy the heart, 
For love of thee holds in it hate of wrong, 
And shapes the hope that moulds humanity.' 

" The fouith sees in the block his lost child, and the pen 
softens as he sees — 

"' The little hands still crossed — a child in death; 
My link with love — my dying gift from her 
Whose last look smiled on both when I was left 
A loveless man, save this poor gift, alone. 

I see my darling in the marble now — 

My wasted leaf — her kind ej-es smiling fondly, 

And through her eyes I see the love beyorid, 

The binding light that moves not; and I know 

That when Gotl gives to us the clearest sight 

He does not touch our eyes with Love, but Sorrow.' 

"Here and there through the collection are little unnamed 
wavelets, of which these four lines are a good example: — 

" ' You gave me the key of your heart, my love; 
Then why do you make me knock ? ' 
*0, that was yesterday, saints above! , 
And last night — I changed the lock ! ' " 

Dr. Shelton M'Kenzie in the Philadelphia Ei-eninr/ News. 

"Good poetry, which constitutes a considerable portion of 
literatm-e, has been rather scarce of late. The odds and ends 
of verse which get into the magazines are generally aimless 
and crude. The poet sits down to write what he has thought, 
but the poetaster takes pen in hand to think what he shall 
think. There is a world of difference between the results — 
that is, between true poesy and merely mechanical verse. . . 
The poem which leads off, covering only thirteen pages, is the 
longest in the volume, and is full of deep-thoughted expres- 



4 THE STATUES IN THE BLOCK. 

sion; but it is probable that ' Muley Malek, the King,* a lay of 
chivalry, Avill have more numerous admirers. There is also 
' From the Earth a Cry,' reviewing the loading events of the 
decade which closed in 1870. The heart-poems here are highly 
impressive in their truth. Here and there, on casual fly-leaves, 
we find curt truths ; thus : — 

" ' Life is a certainty, 

Death is a doubt; 
Men may be dead 

While they're walking about. 
Love is as needful 

In being as breath; 
Loving is dreaming, 

And waking is death.' 



■e> 



'■ Her6 is another leaflet; an epigram if you please to call it 
so: — 

" ' You gave me the key of your heart, my love, 
Then why do you make me knock '? ' 
' O, that was yesterday, saints above ! 
And last night — I changed the lock! ' 

"Apropos of the season, which holds back its beauty and 
bloom, here is a bit of truth : — 

" ' O, the rare spring flowers I take them as they come; 
Do not wait for summer buds, they may never bloom; 
Every sweet to-day sends, we are wise to save; 
Roses bloom for pulling, the path is to the grave.' 

" In conclusion, we earnestly hope that Mr. Boyle O' Reilly, 
who writes so well, will challenge our attention, our admira- 
tion, far more frequently than he yet has done." 

From the yew York Herald. 



u 



Mr. O'Reilly has treated with a beautiful purpose the 
theme of four men, each imagining the statue that may be 
carved from a block of marble. Love is the first. Revenge the 
second, Suffering Motherland the third, and Sorrow the last. 
All these are strongly, nayy passionately drawn', with that 



THE STATUES IN THE BLOCK. 5 

inner relation to actual experience in the narrator, which so 

intensifies the interest. The first is a lovely woman : — 

" ' O Love! still living, memory and hope, 

Beyond all sweets, thy bosom, breath and lips — 
My jewel and the jewel of the world.' " 

"The second, a faithless woman, cowering above the form 
of her newly-slain paramour : — 

" ' O balm and torture ! he must hate who loves, 
And bleed who strikes to seek thy face, Revenge.' 

' ' The third a chained woman — Mother and Motherland : — 

" O star, 
That lightens desolation, o'er her beam, 
. . . Till the dawn is red 
Of that white noon when men shall call her Queen.' 

" The fourth is a figure of a dead child: — 

"'I know 
That when God gives to us the clearest sight 
He does not touch our eyes with Love, but Sorrow.' 

"In 'Muley Malek, the King,' Mr. O'Reilly bursts over the 
bounds of metre; but in the swing of his utterance there is a 
certain forceful rhythm, indicating an earnest endeavor to 
preserve some of the characteristics of song. In 'From the 
Earth a Cry,' however, all reserve is thrown off, and he 
launches formlessly forth. TTalt Whitman chopped up Car- 
lylesque sentences into lines at hazard, but rapidly debased the 
model. Mr. O'Reilly takes a higli strident key, and follows 
Whitman's most ambitious endeavors. It is an eloquent in- 
vective, and its fitfulness and spasmodicts have a certain 
relation to its grievous story of human oppression. It is as 
formless and as forcible as the onrushing mob it invokes. All 
that is, is wrong; what need of nice measuring of feet ? It is 
not the measured tramp of an army that can be expected where 
the undisciplined millions rise to bear down drilled thousands. 

" ' O Christ! and O Christ ! In thy name the law! 
In Thy mouth the mandate! In Thy loving hands the whip! 
They have taken Thee down from Thy cross and sent Thee to scourge 
the people; 



6 THE STATLE8 IX THE liLOCK. 

They have shod Thy feet with sjiikes, and jointed Thy dead knees with 

iron, 
And pushed Thee, hiding behind, to trample the poor dumb faces.' 

" Oppression has its leagues and its trimnplis, but 

*' ' Never, while steel is cheap and sharp, shall thy kinglings sleep 
without dreaming.' " 

From Tilt' Buffalo Union. 



(( 



The strength, tondei-ness, and exceeding power and aptness 
of expression conspicuous in a former volume — (' Songs, Leg- 
ends, and Ballads,') — are all here, intensified. The poet goes 
beyond the limits of any one land or nationhood. He sings 
here for all time and for every nation. His inspiration is 
Iliunanity^ wherever it agonizes under tyrannical bonds or 
struggles to break them. ' From the Earth a Cry, ' is a very 
epitome of the history of the manifold uprisings, all the world 
over, of the weak against the strong during the decade just 
ended — the voice of the oppressed clamoring to Heaven for ven- 
geance — an arraignment of the 

" 'Landlords and Lawlords and Tradelords ' 

before the bar of justice, and in face of the terrible growth of 

" ' Communists, Socialists, Nihilists, Rent-rebels, Strikers ' — ■ 

from the seed themselves have sown. 

" We wish we could speak in detail of some of the other 
poems, with their rugged but splendid versification, in which 
the poet has taken 

" ' No liecd of the words, nor . . . 
the style of the story, 

but 

" ' Let it burst out from the heart, like a sjaing from the womb of the 
mountain; ' 

or of that majestic opening poem, ' The Statucb in the Block,' 
through which this true note rings: — 

" 'When (iod gives to us the clearest sight, 
He does not touch our eyes with Love, but Sorrow.' 



THE STATUES IN THE BLOCK. 



C( 



We strike on a vein of keen but kindly sarcasm at the 
expense of poor human nature here and there through the col- 
lection, especially in a few of those gem-like stanzas that pre- 
lude the different sections. But the poet has a sweet voice for 
tender themes; and there ai-e some exquisite lyrics here, too, 
like fragrant, delicate flowers, blooming in the clefts of the 
massive rock. Such, notably, are ' Her Refrain,' ' Waiting,' 
' Jacqueminots,' and ' The Temple of Friendship.' The book is 
inscribed 'To the Memory of Eliza Boyle; Aly Mother.' " 

From The Boi^ton Journal. 

" The little volume containing ' The Statues in the Block, and 
Other Poems,' by John Boyle O'Eeilly, will commend itself to 
those for whom fresh and spirited verse has charms. The 
pieces, which number about twenty, are of two very different 
styles; the one graceful in form, and conveying some light 
fancy or suggestion, and the other careless as to form, usually 
barren of rhyme, and irregular with the pulses of stern and i)as- 
sionate emotion. Of the former type are ' Jacqueminots,' ' Her 
Refrain,' and 'The Temple of Friendship'; of the latter, 
' From the Earth a Ciy,' ' A Song for the Soldiers,' and ' The 
Mutiny of the Chains.' The first poem mentioned in the latter 
group, and indeed some others belonging to the same group, 
have a Walt Whitmanish turn to them which, we are free to 
confess, we do not like. Take, for example, such lines as these : 

" ' Lightnhig! the air is split, the crater hursts, and the hreathing 

Of those below is the fume and lire of hatred. 

The thrones are stayed with the courage of shotted guns. The warning 

dies. 
But queens are dragged to the block, and the knife of the guillotine 

sinks 
In the garbage of pamijercd flesh that gluts its bed and its hinges.' 

" The story of the mutiny in the final poem is finely told, as 
is also the story of the defence of the Cheyennes, in the poem 
preceding it. Mr. O'Reilly is at his best when his blood is hot 
and his indignation roused by the thought of human wrongs ; 
and some of his pieces, written inider this inspiration, have a 
ring like anvil strokes, and stir the blood of the reader as by the 
sound of trumpets." 



OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 



''aSO^'^gs from the ISOUTJIER^ ISEASr 

]?Y J01i:S^ BOYLE O'llETLI.y. 



iNTeiy Yovk Arcadian. 

" Like the smell of new-mown hay, or the first breath of 
spring, or an unexpected kiss from well-loved lips, or any other 
sweet, fresh, wholesome, natural delight, is to the professional 
reviewer the first perusal of genuine poetry by a new writer. 
Xot for a long time have we experienced so fresh and joyous a 
surprise, so perfect a liteniry treat, as has been given us by 
these fresh and glowing songs by this young and hitherto 
utterly unknown poet. There is something so thoroughly new 
and natural and lifelike, something so buoyant and wholesome 
and true, so nuich original power and boldness of touch in 
these songs, that we feel at once that we are in the presence of 
a new power in poetry. This work alone i^laces its author 
head and shoulder above the rank and file of contemporary 
versifiers. . . . The closing i)assages of ' Uncle Xed's ' 
second tale, are in the highest degree dramatic, — thrilling the 
reader like the bugle-note that sounds the cry to arms. Finally, 
several of the poems are animated by a spirit so affectionate 
and pure, that we feel constrained to love their writer, offering, 
as they do in this respect, so marked and pleasant a contrast 
with too much of the so-called poetry of these modern times." 

(0) 



10 SONGS FROM THE SOUTH ERX SEAS. 



Baltimore Bulletin. 

"Mr. O'Keilly is a true poet — no one can read his stirring 
measui'es and his picturesque descriptive passages without at 
once recognizing the true singer, and experiencing the conta- 
gion of his spirit. He soars loftily and grandly, and his song 
peals forth witli a rare roundness and mellowness of tone that 
cheers and inspirits the hearer. His subjects belong to the 
open air, to new fields or untrod wilds, and they are full of 
healthy freshness, and the vigor of sturdy, redundant life. 
We hail Mr. O'Reilly with pleasure, and we demand for him 
the cordial recognition he deserves."' 



Chic.wjo Inter-Ocean. 

" We may safely say that we lay these poems down with a 
feeling of delight that there has come among us a true poet, 
who can enchant by the vivid fire of his pictures without 
having recourse to a trick of words, or the re-dressing or re- 
torturing of old forgotten ideas. These poems, for the most 
part, are fresh and lifelike as the lyrics which led our fore- 
fathers to deeds of glory. With scarce a line of mawkish 
sentiment, there is the deep heart-feeling of a true poet. Ilis 
descriptions bear the impress of truth and the realism of 
personal acquaintance with the incidents described. There is 
the flow of JScott in his narrative power, and the fire of ^lacau- 
lay in his trumpet-toned tales of war. We are much mistaken 
if this man does not in the course of a few years walk the 
course, and show the world how narrative poetry should be 
written. lie has it in him, and genius cannot be kept under 
hatches. Passing over ' The Dog Guard,' a fearful picture, we 
come to ' The Amber Whale.' It is impossible to describe the 
intense interest that surrounds this dramatic description. A 
more exciting chase could hardly be conceived, and as we stand 
with bated breath, while the mate drives his lance home to 
the vitals, and the boats go hissing along in the wake of the 
wounded monster, we seem to behold the sea red with blood, 



SONGS rilOM THE SOUTHERN SEAS. 11 

and mark the fliikes as tlioy sweep the captain's boat into 

eternity. Here is a portion of the story : — 

" ' Then we heard the captain's order, " Heave! " and saw the harpoon 

fly, 

As the whales closed in with their open jaws: a shock and a stifled cry 
Was all that we heard; then we looked to see if the crew were still 

afloat,— 
But nothing was there save a dull red patch, and the boards of the 

shattered boat. 

" ' But that was no time for mourning words: the other two boats came 

in. 
And one got fast on the quarter, and one aft tht' starboard fin 
Of the Amber AVliale. For a minute he paused, as if he Avere in doul)t 
As to whether 'twas best to run or fight. " Lay on ! " the mate roared 

out, 
"And I'll give him a lance I " The boat shot in; and the mate, when he 

saw his chance 
Of sending it home to the vitals, four times he buried his lance.' 

"We next come to ' Tlie Dnkite Snake,' a tale so simply 
told, so beautifully sad, that the heart goes out in pity to the 
poor yoimg husband in his terrible grief. The Dukite Snake 
never goes alone. When one is killed the other will follow to 
the confines of the earth, but he will have revenge. Upon this 
fact the poet has wrought a picture so true and so dramatic 
that it almost chills the blood to read a tale so cruel and so 
lifelike. ... Among the remaining jDoems of length, we 
have ' The Fishermen of Wexford,' ' The Flying Dutchman,' 
and 'Uncle Xed's Tales.' All are good; but the last are simply 
superb. We doubt if more vivid pictures of war were ever 
drawn. The incidents are detailed with such lifelike force, 
that to any one who had ever felt the enthusiastic frenzy of 
battle, they bring back the soimds of the shells and the shout 
of advancing columns. They are lifelike as the pages of 
Tacitus, and stir the blood to a fever heat of warlike enthus- 
iasm. They are strains to make soldiers." 

London Athenceiun. 

"Mr. O'Eeilly is the poet of a far land. He sings of West- 
ern Australia, that poorest and loveliest of all the Australias, 



1'2 SONGS FIJOM THE SOUTllEHX SEAS. 

■which has receivcil from the mother country only her shame 
ami her crime. Mr. O'Jteilly, in a sliort poem, si)eaks of the 
huul as 'discovered ere the littiiii^ time,' endowed with a peer- 
less clime, but having birds that do not sing, flowers that give 
no scent, and trees that do not fructify. Scenes and incidents, 
however, known to the author, in tliis perfumeless and mute 
land, have been reproduced by him in a series of poems of much 
beauty. ' The King of the Yasse,' a legend of the bush, is a 
weird and deeply pathetic poem, admirable alike for its concep- 
tion and execution." 

Atlantic Montlilij. 

"In a modest, well- worded prelude, the poet says: — 

" ' From that fair land and drear land in the South 

Of which through jcars I do not cease to think, 
I brought a tale, learned not by word of mouth, 

But formeol bj- finding here one golden link 
And there another; and with hands unskilled 

For such fine work, but patient of all pain 
For love of it, I sought therefrom to build 

What might have been at first the goodly chain. 

*' 'It is not golden now; my craft knows more 
Of working baser metal than of fine; 
But to those fate- wrought rings of precious ore 
I add these rugged iron links of mine.' 

" This is not claiming enough for himself, but the reader the 
more gladly does him justice because of his modesty, and per- 
haps it is this quality in the author which of tenest commends 
his book. ' The King of the Yasse ' is the story of a child of the 
first Swedish emigrants to Australia, who lies dead in his moth- 
er's arms when they land. A native chief, coming with all his 
people to greet the strangers, touches the boy's forehead Avitha 
great pearl, which he keeps in a carven case or shrine, and the 
mighty magic of it calls him back to life, but with a savage soul, 
as his kindred believe; for he deserts them for the natives, over 
whom he rules many years, inheriting and w^earing the magic 
pearl. At last the young men of the tribe begin to question his 



SONGS FROM THE SOUTHERN SEAS. 15 

authority, and one of them, with a spear thrust, destroys the 
great pearl. Jacob Eibsen then seems repossessed by a white 
man's soul, and retm-ns to the spot long since abandoned by his 
kindred, and finds it occupied by English settlers, whose chil- 
dren's simple, child-like playmate he becomes, and remains till 
death. The plot is good; and it is always managed with a sober 
simplicity, which forms an excellent ground for some strong 
dramatic effects. The Australian scenery and air and natural 
life are everywhere summoned round the story without being 
forced upon the reader. Here, for instance, is a picture at once 
vivid and intelHgible, — which is not always the case with the 
vivid pictures of the word-painters. After the rains begin in 
that southern cHmate, — 

" ' Earth throbs and heaves 
With i)regnant prescience of life and leaves; 
The shadows darken 'neath the tall trees' screen, 
While round their stems the rank and velvet green 
Of undergrowth is deeper still ; and there 
Within the double shade and steaming air, 
The scarlet palm has fixed its noxious root, 
And hangs the glorious poison of its fruit; 
And there, 'inid shaded green and shaded light, 
The steel-blue silent birds take rapid flight 
From earth to tree and tree to earth; and there 
The crimsoned-plumaged parrot cleaves the air 
Like flying fire, and huge brown owls awake 
To watch, far down, the stealing carpet-snake 
Fresh-skinned and gloAving in his charming dyes, 
With evil wisdom in the cruel eyes 
That glint like gems as o'er liis head flits by 
The blue-black armor of the emperor-fly ; 
And all the humid eartli displays its powers 
Of prayer, Avith incense from the hearts of flowers 
That load the air with beauty and Avith wine 
Of mingled color. . . 

" 'And high ©'erhead is color: round and round 
The towering gums and tuads, closely wound 
Like cables, creep the climbers to the sun, 
And over all the reaching branches run 
And hang, and still send shoots that climb and wind 



14 80NGS FK03I THE SOUTMEliX SEAS. 

Till every arm and spray ami leaf is twined, 

And miles of trees, like brethren joined in love. 

Are drawn and laced; ■svhile round them and above, 

^Vlien all is knit, the creeper rests for days 

As gathering niiirht, and then one blinding bkize 

Of very glory sends, in wealth and strength, 

Of scarlet tlowers o'er the forest's length! ' 

" There are deep springs of familiar feeling (as the mother's 
grief for the estrangement of her savage- hearted son) also 
touched in this poem, in Avhich there is due artistie sense 
and enjoyment of the weirdness of the motive; and, in short, 
we could imagine ourselves recurring more than once to the 
story, and liking it better and better. ' The Dog Guard ' is the 
next best story in the book; — a horrible fact, treated with 
tragic realism, and skilfully kept from being merely hor- 
iil)]e. . . . Some of the best poems in the book are the pre- 
ludes to the stories." 

Boston Adrertisei: 

" The first, and in many respects the best poem in the book, 
is ' The King of the Yasse,' which is a story of the very 
earliest settlement of AiTstralia by Europeans, and before a 
convict settlement was established there. There is to it far 
greater care and finish than to any of the other long poems. 
In some parts it is weird and strange to a degree ; in others it 
is pathetic, — everywhere it is simple, with a pleasant llow of 
rhythm, and closely true to nature. It is followed by ' The 
Dog Guard,' a poem which leaves an impression on the mind 
like Coleridge's 'Ancient Mariner' — a subject which, but for 
great skill in the treatment, would have been repulsive. As it 
stands in the book it shows eminent descriptive power, and a 
certain freedom and daring that lifts it far above the connuon- 
place. Interspersed among the longer i)oems are short verses, 
Avhich must answer the same purpose in the book as the or- 
ganist's interludes, helping out the value of that wliich 
precedes, and that which follows. Some of these are more 
than excellent. They stand out as a pecuUar feature of the 



SONGS FROM THE SOUTHERN SEAS. 15 

book, adding to its completeness, as tliey will add to the poet's 
reputation. Preceding ' The Dog Guard ' we have the follow- 
ing, which perhaps is as characteristic as any of the preludes. 
It will be seen that the burden of this, as indeed of the whole 
book, is AVestern Australia : — 

" ' Xation of Sun and Sin, 

Thy ti(jwers and crhxies are red, 
And thy heart is sore within 
"While the "lorv crowns thv head. 
Land of the songle^s birds, 
AVhat was thine ancient crime, 
Burning through lapse of time 
Like a prophet's cursing words? 

" ' Aloes and Myrrh and tears 
31ix in thy bitter wine: 
Drink, while the cup is thine, 
Drink, for the draught is sign 
Of thy reign in coming years.' 

" Mr. O'Reilly has done his work faithfully and well; he has 
given us in his book more than he promised us in the preface; 
and to-day, with his first poetical ventm-e before the public, he 
has added another to the laurels he has ah'eady won in other 
fields." 

N'ew York Tribune. 

"These songs are the most stirring tales of adventure im- 
aginable, chielly placed in Western Australia, a penal colony, 
which has ' received from the mother country only her shame 
and her crime.' The book is the very melodrama of i)oetry. 
. . . Mr. O'Reilly is a man whose career has been full of 
wild and varied adventm-e, and who has put these stirring 
scenes — all of which he saw, and part of which he was — into 
verse as spontaneous and unconventional as the life he de- 
scribes. His rhymed tales are as exciting as ghost stories, and 
we have been reading them while the early sullen Xovember 
night closed in, with something the same feeling, the queer 
shiver of breathless expectation, with which we used to listen 
to legends of ghosts and goblins by our grandmother s firelight. 



16 SONGS FROM THE SOUTH K UN SEAS. 

Xot tliat iho supernatural figures too largely in these tales, — 
the actors in them are far more formidable than any disem- 
bodied spirits. . . . ' The King of the Yasse ' is a wonderful 
story, in which a dead child is raised to life by a pagan incan- 
tation and the touch of a mystic pearl on the face, — which 
will charm the lovers of the miraculous. 'The Amber Whale,' 
'The Dog Guard,' and ' Ilaunted by Tigers,' are in the same 
vein with ' The Monster Diamond.' Thrilling tales all of them. 
' Chunder All's Wife' is a charming little Oriental love story; 
a ' Legend of the Blessed Virgin ' is full of tenderness and 
grace, for Mr. O'Reilly is both a Catholic and an Irishman; 
and I cannot close my extracts from his book more fittingly 
than with his heartfelt lines to his native land : — 



*' ' It chanced to me upon a time to sail 

Across the Southern Ocean to and fro ; 
And, landing at fair isles, by stream and vale 

Of sensuous blessing did we ofttiraes go. 
And months of dreary joys, like joys in sleep, 

Or like a clear, calm stream o'er mossy stone, 
Unnoted passed our hearts with voiceless sweep, 

And left us yearning still for lands unknown. 

" ' And w'hen we found one, — for 'tis soon to find 

In thousand-isled Cathay another isle, — 
For one short noon its treasures filled the mind. 

And then again we yearned, and ceased to smile. 
And so it was, from isle to isle we passed. 

Like wanton bees or boys on flowers or lips; 
And wlien that all was tasted, then at last 

We thirsted still for draughts instead of sips. 

•* ' I learned fr( m t'.iis there is no Southern land 
Can fill with lo/c the hearts of Northern men. 
Sick minds lieed change; but, when in health they stand 
'Neath foreign skies their love flies home again. 

" ' And thus with me it was; the yearning turned 
From laden airs of cinnamon away. 
And stretched far westward, while tlie full heart burned 
With love for Ireland, looking on Cathay ! 



SONGS FR031 THE SOUTHERN SEAS. 17 

My first dear love, all dearer for thy grief! 

My land that has no peer in all the sea 
For verdure, vale, or river, flower or leaf, — 

If first to no man else, thou'rt first to me. 
New loves may come with duties, but the first 

Is deepest yet, — the mother's breath and smiles: 
Like that kind face and breast where I was nursed 

Is my poor land, the Niobe of isles.' " 

Mr. B. II. Stoddard, in Scrihner*s Monthly. 



U I 



The King of tlie Yasse,' tlie opening poem in Mr. O'Reilly's 
volume, is a remarkable one; and if the legend be the creation 
of Mr. O' Reilly, it places him high among the few really imag- 
inative poets. . . . This, in brief, is the outline of the 
'King of the Yasse.' In it we could point out many faulty 
lines. William Morris could have spun off the verse more flu- 
ently, and Longfellow could have imparted to it his usual grace. 
Still, we are glad it is not from them, but from Mr. O'Eeilly 
that we receive it. The story is simply and strongly told, and is 
imaginative and pathetic. It is certainly the most poetic poem 
in the volume, though by no means the most striking one. ' The 
Amber Whale' is more characteristic of Mr. O'Reilly's genius, 
as ' The Dog Guard ' and ' The Dukite Snake ' are more char- 
acteristic of the region in which he is most at home 

He is as good a balladist as Walter Thornbury, who is the only 
other living poet who could have written ' The Old Dragoon's 
Story.' " 

Boston Gazette. 

" This is a volume of admirable poetry. The more ambitious 
poems in the book are in narrative fonn, and are terse and 
spirited in style, and full of dramatic power and effect. Mr. 
O'Reilly is both picturesque and epigrammatic, and writes with 
a manly straightforwardness that is very attractive. ... Of 
the sickly sentimentality that forms the groundwork of so much 
of our modern poetry, not a trace is to be found in this book. 
The tone throughout is healthy, earnest and pure. There is 
also an independence and originality of thought and treatment 



18 SONGS FROM THE SOUTIIEIIN SEAS. 

that are very striking, and which prove not the least attractive 
features of the book. Some of the stories are conceived with 
nniisnal i)ower, and are developed with scarcely less etTect and 
and skill." 

Jio.stun Times. 

" Some reminiscences of his romantic life, the poet has woven 
into the verses that till this volume. Very grim reminiscences 
they are, of crime and death and horrors dire; but they repre- 
sent faithfully, we have no doubt, the society, or rather sav- 
agery, of those far and fearsome hinds. Most of the poems are 
stories, sombre in substance, but told with a vehement vigor 
that is singularly harmonious with their themes. The opening 
poem, ' The King of the Yasse,' j^reserves a strange and 
pathetic legend, which the poet has wrought into a powerful, 
but most painful story. His imagination revels in pictures of 
weird desolation and the repulsive and appalling prodigies of 
animal and vegetable life in the tropic a\ orld ; and the elfect 
of these presented in quick succession, and varied only by epi- 
sodes of human sin or suffering, is positively depressing. Such 
passages as this abound in the poem: — 

" ' In that strange country's heart, whence comes the hreath 
Of hot disease and pestilential deatli, 
Lie leagues of wooded swamp, that from the hills 
Seem stretchint!; mo;id )ws; but the flood that tills 
These valley basins has the hue of ink 
And dismal doorways open on the brink. 
Beneath the gnarled arms of trees that grow 
All leafless to the t<)i>, from roots below 
The Lethe flood; and he who enters there . 
lieneath this screen sees rising, ghastly bare, 
Like mammoth bones within a charnel dark, 
TIk white nnd r;ip,ir«'d stems of ]iaper-bark, 
That drip down moisture with a ceaseless drip,— 
With lines that run like cordage of a ship; 
For myriad creepers struggle to the light, 
And twine and meet o'erhead iu murderous tight 
For life and sunshine. . . . 



SONGS FROM THE SOUTIIERX SEAS. 19 

Between tlie water aud the matted screen, 

The hald-liead vultm-es, two and two, are seen 

In dismal grandeur, Avith revolting face 

Of foul grotesque, like spirits of the place; 

And now and then a spear-shaped wave goes by, 

Its apex glittering with an evil eye 

That sets above its enemy and prey 

As from the wave in treacherous, slimy way 

The black snake winds, and strikes the bestial bird, 

"Whose shriek-like wailing on the hills is heard.' 



'e 



" The ' Dog Guard ' is a tale of horrors. ' The Amber 
Whale • and ' Haunted by Tigers ' are founded on whaling 
incidents, and the latter, especially, is eloquent Mitli the woe of 
tragedy. There are a few poems in the volume written in a 
lighter mood. 'Uncle Xed's Tale' is a veiy spirited tale of 
battle. ' The Fishermen of Wexford ' is one of the best pieces 
in the collection — almost severe in its simple realism, but ten- 
derly pathetic. We have rarely seen a first volume of poems so 
rich in promise as is this. It is singularly free from the faults 
of most early poems, and exhibits a maturity of thought and a 
sober strength of style that would do credit to any of our older 
poets." 

Boston Commercial Bnllefin. 

" His descriptive powers are remarkably strong and vi^id, 
and his imagination powerful and vigorous. Yet it is evident 
from a glance at the minor poems of ' Golu,' and 'My Mother's 
Memoiy,* that the author has an imagination that will not 
desert him on brighter and more graceful flights of fancy. 
Altogether the volume is one of much more than ordinary 
originality and excellence." 

Worcester Palladium. 

"He shows originality and good descriptive power, and he 
treats his subjects con amore. . . . The author had the 
very best reason in the world for writing this collection, and a 
second volmne will be awaited with reason; for strong points 



20 SONGS FKOM THE SOUTH EIJX SEAS. 

are displayed, and a person who writes because his heart wills 
it, sooner or later wins the heart of the public." 

Bangor Whiff. 

" There is no one of the poems the book contains that has 
not running through it a sort of realism that at once takes pos- 
session of the reader's mind, and he looks upon it, as it were, 
as an actual event." 

Mr. Newell {Orpheus C. Kerr) in The Catholic Mevieto. 

"Judged in all the phases of his talent presented by this 
book, Mr. O'Reilly is unquestionably a man of true poetic 
verve and temperament, with too much reverence for the noble 
gift of song to sophisticate it with mawkish affectations or con- 
ceited verbal ingenuities. Xo obscure line patches his page; no 
fantastic mannerism accentuates his style; no pretendedly met- 
aphysical abstraction egotizes what he thinks worthy of gift to 
mankind." 

Utica Herald. 

"In the leading poem of Mr. O'Reilly's collection, entitled, 
' The King of the Vasse,' there are novelties of scene and leg- 
end which alone claim the attention. . . . The poem is in 
many respects a wonderful one, and contains many subtleties 
of thought and exp-'ession, which it is impossible to reproduce 
in scanty extract " 

Literary World, Boston. 

. . . " Mr. O'Reilly unquestionably possesses poetical tal- 
ent of a high and rare order. He excels in dramatic narrative, 
to which his natural intensity of feeling lends a peculiar force. 
His verse is sometimes careless, and often lacks finish; but 
writers are few, nowadays, who have a better capital in heart 
or hand for successful poetical work than that which is evi- 
denced in this volume." 



^ 



828 



<>^'^f 













^^-n^ 



. t! 












It I ^ 






v^^- 






•>>. y 



: I 



r^. 



■'r 



..^^ *■" 






.*'' 






\ 



A^ 



V^. 






0' \* * 









A 






A^ 



o ♦* t 



.,'?^ 



.% 















c; 



0' 



">. 



^. 









v^ 



v ->'. 



^\^'^ 









-o V*^ 



% 



» ■ 



vO 



•n*.. 






C- 













U c . • .\ 






.^^ 



,0 



n^ 









b. % . \:>" ,0 



;:) 



'^. 



■i I., o 



-/'. <1^ 



^^ 



V 



■^ o /I 



-^ 


^^^ 






'^r. 










y/ 




-o y 


'.\ 








v^ 

..•^" 


^ ^' ' '^ ^ 

> 



.<''' 



'*:^,- 



"/^j 






. t^" 



■^ » ♦ > «^^ 



cP- 



'p. 



- <■> 



%. 







*o 


\ 


> 
• 




xO 


^*, 



"xp 



A" 






'i' 



^^ 



-^v^' 



c; 



''c*^. 



^^ 



.^^ 



^^ 







^^ ' 



.^^c 






'C<. 






-^^ 






t I 



V- 






v^ 



*% v 



v^ 



»x* 












v^^ 






•*^ 



V 



v^' 






^^^ 






•^o 



^^ 



A^ 



»• 



!'.*./■ r 










.1 



'Hi". 



■•,^! 



» 



